ROBERT E. LEE 

A PLAY IN FIVE ACTS 


Charles Sherwood Farriss 













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Class T 5 s 5,1 

Book 

(k>pyright N°_ 


COPYKiGfiT DEPOSIT. 




















ROBERT E. LEE 

. A—— ————— H i 





























































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Taken from Life by Wiley & Son, 
Lexington, Va., at Close of the Civil War. 
Lee on “Traveller,” His Famous Horse. 






ROBERT E. LEE 

A Play in Five Acts 

CHARLES SHERWOOD FARRISS 



BOSTON 

RICHARD G. BADGER 

THE GORHAM PRESS 













) 

Copyright, 1924, by Richard G. Badger 
All Rights Reserved 


PSss/l 

Mm 


Made in the United States of America 


The Gorham Press, Boston, U. S. A. 


SC1A766999 

FEB-4 ’24 ' 


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CHARACTERS 


GEN. ROBERT E. LEE, Commander Confed¬ 
erate Army. 

Gen. A. L. Long, Secretary to Gen. Lee. 

Gen. George C. Meade, Commander Union 
Army at Gettysburg. 

President Jefferson Davis. 

Gens. Hill, Pendleton, Pickett, 

Longstreet, Ewell, Pender, 

Hood, Heth, Maj. Venable 

Officers Confederate Court-Martial: Presiding 
Officer; Attorney for Court. 

Surgeon-General Confederate Army. 

JULIA ANN CARTER, a Virginia girl. 

Mrs. Carter, her mother. 

Capt. Kingdon Scott, Julia’s lover—a Federal 
officer. 

Peggy Scott, a Pennsylvania girl. 

Mrs. Scott, her mother. 


Confederate 

Officers 





CHARACTERS 


Capt. Shirley Carter, Peggy’s lover—a Con¬ 
federate officer. 


Col. Scott, Peggy’s father; 
Gen. Hunter. 


Federal Officers 


Tom, Giant Negro, former slave of the Carters. 


Jim Stanser, Conscientious Objector. 
Ruth, Julia’s Negro Maid. 


Haytard, Confederate Congress¬ 
man. 

Shortway, Confederate Con¬ 
gressman. 

Mr. Bungle, Editor Kussum. 
Four Confederate Deserters. 


Conspirators 

against 

Lee 


Gen. U. S. Grant, Commander Federal Army. 
President Lincoln. 


Vice-President Andrew Johnson. 

Courier, Sentries, Negro Woman, Pick, a Negro 
boy. 




ROBERT E. LEE 




ROBERT E. LEE 


ACT I— Scene 1 

[ Gettysburg, Pa., in a wood, July, 1863. Cap¬ 
tain Shirley Carter (Confederate ) is walking 
slowly up and dozvn the path. As he sees a young 
lady, Peggy Scott, approaching, apparently look¬ 
ing earnestly for something she has lost, he draws 
aside a few feet.] 

peggy scott (her head bent toward the ground) 

I must have dropped it somewhere near this 
place. 

captain carter ( advancing, hat in hand) 

Would I intrude in asking what you’ve lost? 
peggy ( startled ) 

Oh! men have such a way of startling one! 
But pardon, sir! I know ’twas not your fault. 

CAPTAIN CARTER 

No doubt I should have been less startling, Miss. 
You’ll overlook a fault which wasn’t foreseen 
And meanwhile tell to me what you have lost? 




10 


ROBERT E. LEE 


PEGGY 

Just a little piece of zephyr, sir. 

The merest bit to match some other by. 

CAPTAIN CARTER 

And may I help you find this fugitive ? 

PEGGY 

Of course you may or else I must return 
Across the fields just for another piece. 
But, sir, I see you are my enemy! 

CAPTAIN CARTER 

’Tis my uniform of gray you judge. 

PEGGY 

Oh, yes, it is, and I am a Union maid. 

In Pennsylvania, sir, I have my home, 

And hither have you come invading that. 

CAPTAIN CARTER 

But uniform and lines of State should not 
Between the man and maiden intervene. 

PEGGY 

Then why between the men of either side ? 

CAPTAIN CARTER 

Oh, simply from the fact that men do fight! 

PEGGY 

Should not the woman then, contend, at all? 
CAPTAIN CARTER 
Not SO. 



ROBERT E. LEE 


11 


PEGGY 

And why? 

CAPTAIN CARTER 

Oh, she’s the saving clause! 

PEGGY 

And how’s she that? 

CAPTAIN CARTER 

She heals the gaping wound, 

And by her tears she stays fierce anger’s frown, 
When at her swollen face men stare so long 
They’ve time enough to calm themselves from 
hate. 

PEGGY 

Yes, “Plato, thou reason’st well,” but I must go. 

CAPTAIN CARTER 

Not Plato, Miss, but Shirley Carter, please! 

PEGGY 

I’ve heard of you—you’re kinsman of your Lee. 
I’m Peggy Scott. 

CAPTAIN CARTER 

Ah, Colonel Scott I know! 

PEGGY 

You know my father, then? 

CAPTAIN CARTER 

Yes, Miss, and more. 



12 


ROBERT E. LEE 


PEGGY 

How’s that? 

CAPTAIN CARTER 

I know your brother, Captain Scott. 
peggy ( extending her hand) 

Then we’ll be friends, but, for the time, good¬ 
bye ! 

captain carter ( taking her hand) 

You’ll let me walk a little space with you? 
The woods are full of soldiers, here and there! 

PEGGY 

I need you not. 

CAPTAIN CARTER 

And why, my little friend? 

PEGGY 

These soldiers are of Lee. 

CAPTAIN CARTER 

But fear you not? 

PEGGY 

Oh no! We’ve had them at our home these 
days 

Without alarm. 

(Starts off. Capt. Carter detains her.) 

CAPTAIN CARTER 

Please stay a moment, Miss! 



ROBERT E. LEE 


13 


peggy (turning back with a smile) 

But why the new detention, sir? 
captain carter ( stooping, he takes from the 
ground a small piece of wool and hands 
to her) 

Just this! 

PEGGY 

My bit of zephyr, sir, as sure’s I live! 

CAPTAIN CARTER 

I think I might claim half of it, don’t you? 

PEGGY 

You might do that and I might grant you it! 
Rewarding you, I’ll break in two the string. 
I’ll give you half and keep the other piece 
Until we meet again. 

(Breaks string in two pieces and gives him 
one of them.) Exit. 

captain carter (stands for a moment in thought. 
Shakes his head dubiously) 

The first time Shirley’s felt this subtle glow 
And she a Yankee girl! Just think of it! 

No doubt her home is that just over there! 

(Looks off as at an object in the distance.) 
By George! her home is close to Gettysburg. 
Pray God it meet no harm when Lee and Meade 
Their forces join in battle at this place! 


Exit. 



14 


ROBERT E. LEE 


ACT I 

Scene 2 (Same as 1) 

(Enter Congressman Haytard, Congressman 
Stanser, and Jim Stanser ) 

CONGRESSMAN STANSER 

At last we have our triggers set to spring 
A trap upon the unsuspecting Lee, 

And soon you’ll see what I most long to see: 

A pack of howling Southern editors 
Upon his track to drive him from his place, 
And tear his military fame to shreds. 

JIM STANSER 

This thought of vengeance’s pleasing to us 
both! 

CONGRESSMAN HAYTARD 

Has this man done you both a pers’nal wrong ? 

CONGRESSMAN STANSER 

Yes, that he has, a deep and bitter wrong! 

CONGRESSMAN HAYTARD 

I hate him for the praise that others give, 
Since I believe he’s ruining all the South 
By freeing slaves he owned, suggesting, too, 
That liberty be giv’n to blacks who’ll fight. 

CONGRESSMAN STANSER 

All that we place within the pale of hate 



ROBERT E. LEE 


15 


And share it, too, with you; but other things 
Than those which are political move us. 

CONGRESSMAN HAYTARD 

No doubt your secret’s better kept with you. 
And yet I would be glad to help your cause. 

CONGRESSMAN STANSER 

’Tis simple story simply told, my friend: 

He took the part of Tom, a negro slave, 
Instead of mine, a white man and akin. 

CONGRESSMAN HAYTARD 

Of what did this especially consist? 

CONGRESSMAN STANSER 

I won Tom’s handsome wife, a foolish wench. 
When both of us were young and mettled 
steeds. 

At her request, I took her to my house 
To serve as maid; her mistress, then alive. 
Old Tom, resenting this, appealed to Lee, 

His boyhood’s friend, who took the matter up 
With Colonel Carter, kinsman, sir, of mine, 
And owner of this Tom. 

CONGRESSMAN HAYTARD 

With what result? 

CONGRESSMAN STANSER 

The slave was given freedom and the price 
To purchase also freedom for his wife. 



16 


ROBERT E. LEE 


CONGRESSMAN HAYTARD 

The best success, no doubt, he found in this. 

CONGRESSMAN STANSER 

Don’t be so sure of that! She ran away 
And ne’er was heard of more! 

CONGRESSMAN HAYTARD 

That ended it? 

CONGRESSMAN STANSER 

Old Tom believed that I secreted her. 

CONGRESSMAN HAYTARD 

And this is why you hate Commander Lee ? 

CONGRESSMAN STANSER 

It is. And vengeance will be sweet to me 
Against the man who took this negro’s part. 
CONGRESSMAN HAYTARD 

Of course we work against him secretly? 

CONGRESSMAN STANSER 

Oh yes! The men who bring our plans to pass 
Must never know the stimulus from us. 

Here comes one now, the greatest of them all! 
Remember this: Our dealing now must be 
With Longstreet, bold, but vain; true, but cold. 
Suspicious even of his fastest friends! 

Be careful, then, and keep in mind your cue: 
He’s jealous of the prominence of Lee. 

{Enter General Longstreet alone, who remains 
standing with folded arms.) 



ROBERT E. LEE 


17 


LONGSTREET 

I meet you here, at your request, my friends, 
But trust that you may make your bus’ness 
brief. 

As time now presses sore. 

CONGRESSMAN STANSER 

Ah yes, we’ll be most brief—of that be sure— 
As time itself is of the greatest need 
To bring the schemes of Robert Lee to nought. 

LONGSTREET 

What’s up your sleeve, good sir? 

CONGRESSMAN STANSER 

We hate this Lee! 

LONGSTREET 

I thought you were his kinsman, sir. 

CONGRESSMAN STANSER 

I am. 

LONGSTREET 

But not his friend, I see! 

CONGRESSMAN STANSER 

Not that, indeed! 

LONGSTREET 

And why? If I may ask, and not amiss. 

CONGRESSMAN STANSER 

You may. For many reasons I hate Lee, 

And wish for him a failure of his work. 



18 


ROBERT E. LEE 


But most especially I think that he 
Has crossed the wide Potomac bent on schemes 
That surely must undo our Southern cause, 
And bring to nought the plans of better men. 

LONGSTREET 

Nay, hardly better men. 

CONGRESSMAN STANSER 

Then, wiser men. 

LONGSTREET 

Ah, that may be! but Lee indeed, is good. 

CONGRESSMAN STANSER 

Too courteous and kind he is to lead, 

And weighs too carefully the other’s side. 

So, all we’ll have to do to gain our point 
Is to insist that he shall yield his place 
To Longstreet for his country’s greatest good! 

LONGSTREET 

Don’t undervalue Lee! Beneath his mien 
There lurks the force of Gabriel’s mighty 
thrust. 

He flames not with the garish glow of Mars; 
But wields Minerva’s tessellated shield. 

CONGRESSMAN STANSER 

And yet you see his great unwisdom, sir. 

LONGSTREET 

I do, in that he goes so far from home, 



ROBERT E. LEE 


19 


Like Hannibal, to fight that he may feed. 
CONGRESSMAN STANSER 

And will you join with us to queer his plans 
So that he’ll have to cross to Southern soil? 

LONGSTREET 

I’ll do my duty as I see it best! 

Your proposition, sirs, meant well, it seems, 

Is clothed in language of conspiracy. 

Take my advice and do not further this 
Which might bring trouble great to you and 
yours. {Exit Long street) 

CONGRESSMAN STANSER 

New leaven did not have to work, it seems. 
Already’s in his mind the older germ. 

Our bidding he’ll not do; but yet he’ll do. 
The same result must follow, as you’ll see. 

CONGRESSMAN HAYTARD 

We’ll hope so, friends; but let’s beware of Lee! 
Enough of good’s within those grayish eyes 
To charm an angel from the skies above 
Or slay the Devil at a single glance. 

CONGRESSMAN STANSER 

Ha! Ha! You always have your little joke! 

CONGRESSMAN HAYTARD 

Do not think so! Your error’ll cost you dear. 



20 


ROBERT E. LEE 


CONGRESSMAN STANSER 

Be as it may, advantage we must take 
Of Longstreet’s bile, to queer the work of Lee, 
And, causing failure here at Gettysburg, 
Array the South against him everywhere. 

(j Exeunt all.) 


ACT I 

Scene 3 (Same as 1 and 2) 

[Near Gettysburg, Pa., July 1, 1863. Confed¬ 
erate Camp. Enter Gen. Lee (Commander Con¬ 
federate forces), with Generals A. P. Hill and 
Pender.] 

GEN. LEE 

I’m greatly troubled, friends, and ask your wise 
advice. 

What think you Meade, our Union friend, is 
doing now? 

HILL 

I think there’s little doubt that Meade will loiter 
long, 

As Hooker did, and wait for Halleck’s word to 
move. 



ROBERT E. LEE 


21 


LEE 

Ld like you might be right, my friend, and yet 
I fear 

You underestimate the fire and speed of Meade. 

PENDER 

And think you, sir, that Gen’ral Meade sur¬ 
passes all 

The leaders sent against this thin gray line of 
ours? 

LEE 

I said not that! Yet say withal, most brave 
he is, 

And man of temper true, a fighter, first and 
last. 

HILL 

These words of yours, Commander, make us 
mark the more 

Your wisdom’s timely speech about our foe’s 
approach. 

You ask suggestion; is it meet that Stuart sent 

With men the same that round McClellan twice 
did ride 

May soon discover where those cordons blue 
are hid? 

LEE 

These thoughts are good and true, and measure 
well the plan 



22 


ROBERT E*. LEE 


That shaped itself within my mind some days 
ago. 

Alas! I know not where the gallant Stuart is, 

But know that he annoys the foe inside his 
lines— 

Gone far afield, suspecting not we need him 
here. 

HILL 

In that sad case, we’re all kept guessing as to 
Meade! 

PENDER 

Perchance already Stuart hastes to bring us 
word. 

LEE 

So great a matter calls for all to act at once 

And nothing leave to chance. (Ent . Courier) 

What news have you, my friend? 

courier ( saluting ) 

A message, sir, by word of mouth, from 
Gen’ral Heth. 

{Hill and Pender start, and press forward.) 

LEE 

And what has Gen’ral Heth to say? 

COURIER 

His line’s attacked 

By Buford’s men and Reynolds’ Corps, near 
Gettysburg. 



ROBERT E. LEE 


23 


hill (clutching Pender's arm) 

My boy! those troops are ours! 

PENDER 

Em glad to say they are! 

lee (to Courier) 

Change horse and back to Gen’ral Heth at 
once, and say 

That he shall yield no ground, but hold till 
afternoon— 

That then we’ll come to rout the foe and drive 
him back. (Exit Courier) 

lee 

The fight at last, is on, but not before I thought. 

HILL 

And think you, sir, it comes too quick for us, 
or no? 

LEE 

There’s that which we must ever strictly guard 
betimes, 

Lest lines so thin as ours may quickly bend 
and break 

Before onrushing armies, greater far than ours; 

As torrents lately .swollen, rush, with angry 
course, 

And, running straight ahead, keep sure to chan¬ 
nel-bed 




24 


ROBERT E. LEE 


When only nothing chokes their plunging, 
frothy way, 

So we, with care, must make our plans com¬ 
pletely sure 

While no one fails to do the task committed 
him. 

gen. pendleton ( Lee’s Chief of Artillery) 

Ah, let us hope that Longstreet’s stubborn 
neck is bent 

T* obey your will, and march with speed at 
break of day 

To open this, the greatest day of all the war. 

LEE 

God grant your prayer, my noble Pendleton, 
and we 

Shall win this day for peace, and independence 
too! (Exeunt Lee and Pendleton) 

(Enter General Picket ) 

PICKET 

What think you of our plans to fight so great 
a force? 

Does Lee, the brave, audacious, wise and tire¬ 
less Lee, 

Seem now, as Longstreet says, to desp’rately 
risk all 

Upon a single throw of dice, to lose or win? 

Or do you think his plans shall justify the cost? 



ROBERT E. LEE 


25 


HILL 

Beloved friend, content yourself, and never 
doubt 

That wondrous mind sees clearly how to win 
this fight. 

If we do each his part so planned as by a god, 

Then nought may come but sure success upon 
our cause. 

( Exeunt ) 


ACT I 

Scene 4 (Same as 1, 2, and 3) 

[Near Gettysburg, July 1,1863, 5 o'clock after¬ 
noon. Enter Generals Lee and Longstreet, ac¬ 
companied by Long and Pendleton and Major 
Venable, reconnoitering on horseback .] 

LONGSTREET 

It seems to me that Meade is great in force 
And we should risk too much to make attack. 

LEE 

Our troops have won a glorious vict’ry, sir! 
The victors long to try it out again. 

LONGSTREET 

Your pardon, sir; but my impression was 



26 


ROBERT E. LEE 


We crossed the stream to make defensive war . 1 

LEE 

But why should we the broad Potomac cross 
If ’twere our aim to simply make defence? 
We might have done it better nearer home. 

longstreet ( petulantly ) 

On that condition I agreed to come! 

LEE 

You did! you say? Were such conditions made? 

LONGSTREET 

Oh no, there wasn’t agreement made with 
words 

But my opinion was to that effect. 

LEE 

That I came here upon your sufferance? 

LONGSTREET (confused) 

Not that precisely, sir, but my opin- 

lee ( severely ) 

Opinion, Longstreet, never count as mine 
Except when I agree that it is so! 

To-morrow morning’s day-break is the time 


lGen. Longstreet discusses the campaign at great length, 
and his defence of his conduct fills many pages. In the 
first place, he tells that when the invasion of Pennsylvania 
was first broached, he assented to Gen. Lee’s plan on the 
condition that the tactics of the Confederates should be 
purely defensive.—Henderson, vide Jones’ Life and Letters 
of Lee, p. 269. 






ROBERT E. LEE 


27 


Attacks not now, before George Meade arrives 
With strength so great our plans must surely 
fail 1 

To grasp the victory we saw was ours! 

Our great Jehovah! grant that hopes and plans 
May not go down disastrously because 
Of one man’s stubborn disobedience! 

With Jackson living, diff’rent all would be ! 2 
Oh, God! send that obedient spirit forth! 

(Enter Gen. Long) 
long ( excitedly ) 

The enemy is massing on the right, 

And soon that ridge will be impregnable! 

LEE 

It’s time that Longstreet moved, as told. 

Sir, go, and see why Longstreet doesn’t attack! 

{Exit Long) 

{Confederate soldiers pass. Evidence of men 
getting into position. Enter General Ewell.) 

EWELL 

I’m moving ’gainst the right of Mead at once, 

l“Meade and his Second Corps were at Taneytown, Md., 
when the sun went down on the night of the 1st.”—Gen. 
Fitzhugh Lee, quoted by Jones, p. 254. 

‘‘On leaving the Conference of Generals, Gen. Lee had in¬ 
formed Gen. Pendleton, his chief of artillery, that he had 
ordered Longstreet to attack the enemy early next morning.” 
—Page, p. 331, Robert E. Lee, Man and Soldier. 

~~ 2Gen. Stonewall Jackson had been killed, accidentally, by 
his own men at Chancellorsville. 




28 


ROBERT E. LEE 


\ 


When you (take heed!), must lead up all your 
men 

Against those people massing slowly there 
On Cemetery Ridge, the very key 
Of this important fight of Gettysburg. 

(Exeunt Lee and Long street) 

LONG 

About the only fault I find with Lee 
Is his eternal patience with that man! 

VENABLE 

All true, because there is no heart like Lee’s. 
PENDLETON 

And yet how strange that one of Lee’s good 
sense 

And rigid discipline, can be so kind 
With Longstreet, known as brave, though slow 
and vain! ( Exeunt) 


ACT I 

Scene 5 (Same as 1, 2, 3, and 4) 

[Near Gettysburg, second day of battle, at day¬ 
break, July 2,1862. Enter General Lee (alone).] 

LEE 

How strange it is that Longstreet’s splendid 
corps 



ROBERT E. LEE 


29 


But where is Longstreet’s movement ’gainst the 
left? 

LEE 

O, that I can not tell! ’Tis nine o’clock! 

He should have moved long since—three hours 
ago. 

(Enter Hood.) 

Go, Hood, and stir up Longstreet! Go, at 
once! 

{Exit Hood followed by Lee and Ewell) 


ACT I 

Scene 6. (In woods near Gettysburg) 

{Enter Longstreet, on horseback, with General 
A. P. Hill) 

HILL 

It’s past the time Lee set for us to move! 

LONGSTREET 

Yes, nearly ten o’clock, instead of six, 

But what’s the use? I’m sure he’ll see his 
fault. 

HILL 

It’s not for us to plan but execute! 

{Enter Gen. Long, his horse in a sweat.) 



30 


ROBERT E. LEE 


LONG TO LONGSTREET 

Our chief commands that you move up at once, 
According to his orders given you 
Last night—to move ’gainst Meade at six 
o’clock! 

(Enter Hood , in great haste, showing feeling.) 

HOOD 

It’s far past time agreed upon by all 
To fight this battle! Longstreet you’ll be 
blamed 

For this delay—this war’s worst tragedy! 

longstreet ( resentfully ) 

Our chief appears too nervous, gentlemen . 1 
Please say that four o’clock this afternoon 
Will be the shortest time I can be there! 

(Exeunt Longstreet and Hill.) 

HOOD 

Then all is lost! unless our patient chief 
May yet contrive to patch his peerless plans. 

(Exeunt Hood and Long.) 


l”The General is a little nervous this morning; he wishes 
me to make the attack. I do not wish to do so without 
Picket. I never like to go into battle with one boot oft.”— 
Said to Gen. Hood by General Longstreet, on the morning of 
July 2, 1863. Jones’ Life and Letters of Robt. E. Lee, p. 271. 





ROBERT E. LEE 


31 


ACT I 

Scene 7. (Same as 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5) 

(Confederate soldiers marching past to the at¬ 
tack.) (Enter Gens. Lee, Long, Picket, 
Pender, and Heth.) 


LEE 

You see, good friends, a battle may depend 
Upon the sad and stubborn will of one. 

The time is past—it’s now too late by far 
To drive George Meade from Cemetery Ridge. 
And yet must all go in and help retrieve 
The fearful error Longstreet made this noon. 

PICKET 

Ah, General, we all do feel, as you 

But not for him and yet for you we’ll fight! 

HETH 

What Picket says, we all affirm, good chief, 
But think that Longstreet’s sloth has lost the 
war. 

A court, no doubt, should now decide if he 
Must face the firing squad for his delay. 

LEE 

Oh say not this, my friends! for Longstreet’s 
true— 

A brave and noble fighter, courting death 



32 


ROBERT E. LEE 


In hottest fight. Not traitorous is he! 

HETH 

Not that, but disobedient to you . 1 

LEE 

Oh, let it go! He’s most peculiar. 

No gentlemen! We’ll let him live and fight. 

(Exit Lee.) 

HETH 

I judge our chief has gone to pray for him! 
They say he always prays for enemies. 

( Curtain ) 


l“It used to be common soon after the war for old Con¬ 
federate officers to declare that Longstreet should have been 
shot immediately after the battle, and that Napoleon cer¬ 
tainly would have done so. But Lee was cas't in a different 
mould.”—Page, 275. 




ROBERT E. LEE 


33 


ACT II.— Scene 1 

Culpeper (Va.) Grove, before the Carter Home¬ 
stead. {Mrs. Carter and daughter, Julia 
Ann Carter, seated, listening to story of 
Tom, a giant negro, who stands as he re¬ 
lates .) 

MRS. CARTER 

Now, Tom, be sure to leave no point untouched 
But tell it all,—of how my son and you 
Went through that awful time of Picket’s 
charge— 

That second day at dreadful Gettysburg. 

TOM 

Wall, ’taint no use er frettin’, ’taint no use 
Ter tell de people’s frettin’ not ter fret. 

So, w’en yer said dat I mus’ go an’ see 
How Marser far’d in camp at Gettysburg, 

I up an’ went, but all de tents was bare 
Fer all de men had gone into de fight. 

’Twas not fer me ter stay behime de res’, 

W’en all had gone but me astandin’ dar, 
A-gazin’—lookin’ sad at Mistis’ face 
W’ch stared f’um out de frame in Marser’s 
tent; 

So out I run, ez fas’ ez I cud go, 



34 


ROBERT E. LEE 


An’ caught de crowd befo’ de guns commenced. 
Young Marser seed me cum, an’ turnin’ roun’ 
He look’d, I tell yer, like he gwine ter swear. 
He didn’t do it, dough, but larfed an’ sed, 

“Go back ter Mistis, Tom, she’ll need yer soon 1” 
An’ den he pray’d de Lawd ter keep us safe— 
An’ sho’ ez yu is bawn, I seed a tear, 

But naw, he didn’t cry, but cussed instead. 

MRS. CARTER 

But did he swear upon the battlefield? 

TOM 

Now cussin’s cussin’, pra’r is pra’r I kno’, 

An’ mixin’ ob de two am mighty bad, 

But Marser’s cussin’s done widout dat Name: 
Jest “darn” an’ “debbil”—sometimes “dam’ ” 
an’ “hell.” 

It seem’d so nat’chul den, I larfed an’ cried, 
An’ den it peer’d his cussin’ wuzn’t bad, 

Fer in he face I seed de sign ob pra’r! 

MRS. CARTER 

It pleases me to hear he prayed. 

TOM 

An’ mus’ I tell yo’ all about dat time 
When Hebb’n an’ arth an’ all seem’d mighty 
small, 

An’ bullets whissel’d parst dese y’ars ob mine, 




ROBERT E. LEE 


35 


Like chaff f’um out de thrasher, fas’ as hail 
Upon de rufe, in winter w’en it’s cole? 

JULIA 

Yes, dear Tom, be sure to tell it all; 

As harsh as it may seem leave naught untold. 

TOM 

It frez ma bludd to heer and see dem guns, 

As men wuz failin’ thick an’ fas’ aroun’, 
When sum wuz cussin’, sum wuz prayin’ hard, 
An’ sum was shoutin’, sum wuz savin’ nuth’n; 
Er lev’lin guns jes’ lak dey’s shootin’ squirls 
Instid er men, deir ownest brudders’ sons. 

(Tom ceases and wipes his eyes with a ban¬ 
dana.) 

MRS. CARTER 

Calm yourself, good Tom; let us hear 
How bad it was, and let us hide our tears. 

TOM 

I nebber see sich goin’s on ez den— 

But law! ’twas nuthin’ lak de hell dat cum 
Along wid Marser Picket’s men, who charged 
Ez ef dar wuz no use er libbin’ long, 

An’ deth wuz all dat man wuz lookin’ fer! 
Whar one wuz kilt befo’, now, ten fell daid, 



36 


ROBERT E. LEE 


Nigh dat stone wall, whar me an’ Marser run 1 
Into er rain er minnie balls, dat lef’ 

Alive, a man er standin’ heer an’ dar, 

Whar onct as menny dozens stood an’ fout. 
Sum off’sers nigh me say’d ’twuz sum mistake 
Ob orders gib’n by Marser Robert Lee, 

An’ sed we orter stop ter make for sho’. 

But Marser Picket sed dat Marser Lee 
Had ordered all de army out ter fite, 

An’ not his littul fo’teen thousan’ men 
Agin’ a hunnun thousan’ troops ob Meade ! 1 

JULIA 

I heard that Lee would take the blame; 

But others know he shields another man. 

MRS. CARTER 

Continue, Tom; what did Picket then? 

TOM 

So Marser Picket kep’ right on an’ run 
Up at de cannons’ moufs dat soun’ so loud. 
Young Marser, he too went, at dat same time, 
De same ez Marser Picket’s udder men. 

Dey took dem guns, an’ turnin’ ob ’em roun’ 

l“You could wade the Atlantic as easily as he [Picket] 
unsupported could go beyond that stone wall.”—President 
Benjamin Andrews (Union Soldier), in Beacon Lights of 
History. Vol. XII, p. 337. 

lProm what we can learn, Lee was not responsible for 
Picket’s lack of support.—President Benjamin Andrews, Bea¬ 
con Lights of History, XII, 337. 




ROBERT E. LEE 


37 


Den shot at men who onct had shot at dem! 2 
Dey helt deir groun’ until, at las’ dey see 
Dat no suppote wuz cummin’ up ter dem— 
An’ whut’s de use ter try ter hole de line 
Agin’ so menny thousand cummin’ fas’ ? 

An’ so, ez bes’ dey cud, dey den went back 
All ober groun’ dey’d cum one time befo’. 
mrs. carter (showing signs of faintness) 

My heart! Oh, how it jumps with pride and 
fear! 

TOM 

It wuz not fur—three-quarters ob a mile— 
But, in de time it tuk fer us ter go, 

Our ranks wuz riddl’d bad by cummin’ crowds. 
But, Laws-a-massy me! I seed him fall 
Who Mistis sent me heer ter watch an’ sabe!— 
Young Marser, peartes’ man ob all de men 
I ebber seed, in dis long life ob mine. 

How kin I face my Mistis! how go back 
Widout dat hansum boy a steppin’ proud?— 
{Mrs. Carter utters a scream and is supported 
by Julia.) 

mrs. carter {recovering) 

Go on! Go on! and tell it all to us! 
tom 

Dey alius sed dat Tom wuz orful strong, 


2Jones, p. 251. 





38 


ROBERT E. LEE 


Ermung de udder niggers dar at home. 

Well, Lawd, it wuz er blessin’ dat wuz so! 

I tuk young Marser in dese pow’ful arms, 
An’ hug ’im ter my breas’, an’ fotch ’im off 
(Jes’ ez I use’ ter hug ’im when he’s small, 
An’ tole ’im bout de varmints ob de woods.) 
Erlong dat way we all went back agin; 

But we, young Marser’n I, did not git back! 
Sumhow, I turn’ out f’um de reg’lar way 
De udders went! An’ mebbe jes’ ez well 
We did not go dat reglar, natchul road. 

julia ( horrified ) 

You did not go among the enemy! 

TOM 

De Lawd, he kno’ de bes’ an’ do de bes’, 

An’ leads us whar we doan’ inten’ ter go! 

I doan’ ermember much on dat long road, 
’Cept dis: I wuzn’t afeared ob nuthin’, now, 
Ef only cud I get dat presshus boy 
Inter he hum, whar Mistis sot an’ sot— 

Fer when he’s daid it’s bes’ he be at hum. 

Dat body sho’ wuz heaby, marm, fer me; 
Jes’ so, biemby, I res’ ’longside er pine, 

An’ nigger-lak, I fell ter sleep at onct. 

JULIA 

And did you have to leave him there, at last? 



ROBERT E. LEE 


39 


TOM 

I waked up, feelin’ pow’ful bad an’ skeert— 
De stars wuz shinin’ brite, an’ all wuz still 
An’ lonesome dar, an’ corpses layin’ thick 
Eround’ dat battle-fiel’ not fur erway. 

But dat ain’ whut I saw dat skeert me mos’: 
Whut skeert me mos’ wuz Marser settin’ up, 
An’ lookin strate at me wid shinin’ eyes— 

Not sayin’ nuthin’ ’tall, but jes’ er starin’,— 

Ez knowin’ nuthin’ bout jes’ whar he wuz. 
{Mrs. Carter and Julia run closer to Tom in 
anxiety.) 

MRS. CARTER 

You did not run away and leave him there! 

TOM 

Ob cose I did not run—bekase ’twuz him 
Who nebber harm’d me in he life-time here, 
An’ so I know’d he wudden’t do it den. 

MRS. CARTER 

Oh, tell me that you brought him safely off! 

TOM 

Yes, Marm, I did, an’ dun it moughty quick! 
But Marser shet dem eyes er his’n again, 

An’ den I seed it wuzn’t no hant, but Marse 
Himse’f, er livin’ still, but mighty weak! 

I tell yer all, I tuk ’im up wid keer, 



40 


ROBERT E. LEE 


An’ carried ’im ez ef he’d jes’ bin bawn— 

On, thru dem lonesum woods, a mile er mo’, 
Befo’ I seed er lite in frunt ob me, 

An’ heer’d er dog er barkin’ dolesum-lak. 

I push’d on ter de hous’ dat had de lite, 

An’ laid my Marser down erpon de po’ch. 
Two wimmen-folks wuz dar er-holdin’ lamps, 
Er-lookin’ at ’im pitiful an’ sad. 

De young-un run an’ lean’d rite ober ’im, 
Er-lookin’ in dat hansum face so pale. 

An’ den she saw a littul woolen string, 

He’d pinn’d erpon he sleeve befo’ de fite— 
Jes’ er nuthin’ Miss, it ’peared ter me, 

But sholy it wuz mighty sad ter her. 

She cried, an’ tuk ’is head erpon her arm, 
An’ match’ dat string wid one she had hers’ef. 
julia ( smiling ) 

Ah, Shirley wrote me, just before the fight 
About a Yankee girl he met up there, 

And told about a zephyr string he found, 
The two dividing it for fun, he said. 

And how romantic, Mother dear, it is! 

MRS. CARTER 

It is! But let good Tom continue, dear. 

TOM 

She ordered dat I take ’im in de hous’. 



ROBERT E. LEE 


41 


I dun it mighty quick, an’ laid ’im down 
Erpon de whites’ bed I eber seed. 

(I reckon, too, it wuz de fines’ hous’ 

Dis nigger eber sot he eyes erpon). 

Dem wimmen suttin wukked on Marser hard 
To bring ’im too again, so he cud lib. 

Ob cose, de boy he cudden’ stan’ all dat! 

An’ so, dem big gray eyes fly open wide, 

An’ look rite in de young ’un’s blushin’ face, 
Befo’ she know’d whut he wuz gwine ter do. 

JULIA 

And do they seem to be so much in love ? 

TOM 

It’s not fer me ter tork erbout sich things, 
But I wuz sho’ dat bofe ob dem wuz glad. 
An’ since dat time dey’s growin’ gladder yit. 
In sum lan’ ploughin’s gud, in t’other’s bad; 
Wid dem two chillun, f’um de firs’, ’twuz gud— 
No miry places, stumps, nor trash, wuz dar, 
But eben furrurs, strate ez dey cud be. 

I lubb’d to set an’ heer ’em tork an’ larf, 

An’ he er-gittin’ weller all de time, 

While she’s er-gittin’ purtier eb’ry day. 

Now when I see my chillun’s happy’s dat 

I feels my sins all roll so fur erway 

I’m reddy, Lawd, fer y’u ter cum fer me! 



42 


ROBERT E. LEE 


julia (bringing a chair close to Tom) 

Oh, Tom, you dear old Tom! how great you 
are! 

A real, true hero! Isn’t he mother, dear ? 
Has Shirley really lost his heart at last? 

I hope he has! And what’s his angel’s name ? 

tom ( laughing) 

I ain’ter ’lowed ter tell jes’ whar he am, 

Fer dat wud bring de sojers on ’im sho! 

MRS. CARTER 

How may I ever thank you, honest Tom, 

For all you’ve done for us, in these sad days? 
Had not your Master freed you long ago, 
Most gladly now would I your freedom give. 

TOM 

Go ’long now, Mistis, doan’ yer tork ter me 
Ob freedom! I’se too much dat sorter thing— 
So, please marm, doan’ yer gib me any mo’. 

I done fer Marser whut he’d done fer me, 

Ef he had eber seed me needin’ ’im. 

{Exit Tom) 

JULIA 

Oh, mother, don’t you think those people kind 
To take our Shirley in, and treat him thus 
When they are Union people, he not so? 



ROBERT E. LEE 


43 


mrs. carter ( smiling) 

And is my little girl now thinking too 
Of one who’s on that side, and kind to her? 
julia (throwing arms about her mother) 

Oh, how can such a mother be a tease? 

(Enter James Stanser, a young man, a second 
cousin.) 

STANSER 

Good morning! cousins two, and have you seen 
Old Tom, the greatest liar born a slave? 

He’s back and says that Shirley’s still alive. 

MRS. CARTER 

And why, I pray, accuse old Tom that way? 
I’ve known him all my life, and found him true. 

STANSER 

He says he brought your son from off that 
field! 

JULIA 

And I believe it all, for Tom is good! 

Much braver, too, than many whites I know, 
Who ought to be now fighting for their States. 

STANSER 

That’s argumentum ad hominem, Miss- 

In other words, you stress the other thing. 
My conscience keeps me far from ev’ry war, 
But keeps me not from thinking Tom a liar. 




44 


ROBERT E. LEE 


MRS. CARTER 

I hear, too, Cousin Jim, you don’t like Lee, 
And say that he was weak at Gettysburg,— 
So, therefore should give place to some one 
else 

Of more aggressive ways and abler plans . 1 

STANSER 

I said just that, believing Longstreet such. 
mrs. carter ( severely ) 

A ripe opinion, based on prejudice! 

STANSER 

Not so, good cousin, Longstreet said’t himself. 

MRS. CARTER 

I hear that Longstreet’s stubborn pride lost all. 
(Enter Gen. Long, a visitor.) 

GEN. LONG 

You’ve spoken, Madam, bravely, all the truth! 
I heard, myself, the orders Lee did give 
To Longstreet—orders neither liked nor kept. 
(The two ladies turn and greet Gen. Long.) 

MRS. CARTER 

It’s good to hear you, old and valued friend, 
Uphold our Robert Lee, the great and sad, 
Against deceit and stubborn jealousy. 


iSome editors in the South took that position immediately 
after the battle of Gettysburg. 




ROBERT E. LEE 


45 


GEN. LONG 

A greatness true as his, its own defence 
Makes clear, to all but to ignoble minds, 

Which batten on the crumbs from Slander’s 
board. 

{Turning towards Stanser, who is holding out 
his hand to shake hands with him.) 

Young man, you say you conscientiously 
Object to fight for freedom, State, and home? 
Permit that I most conscientiously 
Object to shake your conscientious hand! 
{Exeunt Mrs. Carter, Julia , and Gen. Long.) 
stanser {walking up and down in meditation) 
What care have I for what the General thinks ? 
Advantage is with me if I risk not 
My skin in war, but stay right here at home 
With final aim to win our Julia fair! 

{Enter Ruth, a house servant, mulatto, sing- 
ing.) 

RUTH 

“Tairpin on de tater vine 1 
Tain’ gwine rain no mo’! 

One eye out an’ tudder bline, 

Tain’ gwine rain no mo’! ” 

{Seeing Stanser stops singing) 


1 Negro folk song. 




46 


ROBERT E. LEE 


I sho’ does hope yu’ll ’scuse me, Marser Jim, 
I did’n er seed yer soon’s I orter done! 
stanser ( beckoning) 

Here, Ruth, I wish to speak to you about 
Your daddy, Tom. He’s not your daddy, Ruth, 
For Tom could not have got so fair a skin 
And brilliant eye, from wife as black as he. 

RUTH 

I doan’ ezackly kno’ jes’ what yo’ mean 
Wid all dem big, high soundin’ words, Marse 
Jim. 

STANSER 

I mean, some white man is your Pap, not Tom. 

RUTH 

He whupt me bad, one time I tole him dat, 

I sho’ can not fergit dem licks he gib. 

Ma’ daddy also sade he cuddent ’dure 
Ter think dat y’u cum here ter tork ter me. 

(Enter Tom.) 

TOM 

Dat gal is tellin’ y’u de trufe, Marse Jim. 

I hopes dat y’u’ll not projeck long er Ruth. 
An’ ef yer does, I’ll tell my Marser Lee! 

( Stanser, blazing with anger, advances upon 
Tom to strike him. Tom catches the blow 
easily in his large palm.) 



ROBERT E. LEE 


47 


TOM 

Yo mussn’ do dat, Marse Jim, fer you’d be 
weak 

In pow’ful han’s lak mine. I’se free, mersef! 

STANSER 

You damned black imp! I’ll get you lynched 
for this! 

tom ( angrily ) 

Yer can’t do dat! Yer too unpop’lar heer. 

De fo’kes all say yer ’fraid to go an’ fite, 

An’ sum’s er torkin’ now er lynchin’ y’u! 
Now lemme tell yer sumpin’ mo’, Marse Jim, 
Ef Ruth does eber cum ter ha’m f’um y’u, 
Dar’s nuthin’ll eber sabe yer f’um dese han’s! 
(Stanser slinks back in impotent fury. Exit.) 
tom {to Ruth) 

Now, honey, go an’ doan’ yer ebber tork 
Ter Marser Jim, fer he’ll not do ter trus’. 

He skin am white; he hart’s ez black ez hell! 

RUTH 

Oh, laws-a-massy me, ma daddy’s mad! 

(Skips out saucily, singing) 

Who bilt de ark ? 1 
Noyah! Noyar. 


lNegro folk-song during the Civil War. 




48 


ROBERT E. LEE 




Who bilt de ark? 

Xoyah! ma Lawd! 

(Term shakes his head solemnly. Exit.) 


ACT II 

Scexe 2. (Same as Scene 1—at dusk) 

(Enter Julia Carter, accompanied by her maid 
Ruth) 

julia (reading from letter) 

Listen, Ruth, to what my Captain says: 
{Reads) : “I can’t endure this life in camp 
without 

A glimpse of you! I’ll come at candle-light. ,, 

RUTH 

Dat Capt’in Scott, ma honey, sho’ am brave! 

JULIA 

Yes, Ruth, he’s brave, yet rather say, he’s rash, 

RUTH 

He lubs yer pow’ful good ter run sich risk. 

JULIA 

We’ve loved since first we met, before the war 
Began its horrid course. 

RUTH 

An’ whar y’u meet ? 



ROBERT E. LEE 


49 


JULIA 

At school, in Washington, among good friends. 
Since torn apart by war. 

RUTH 

Do Mistis know? 

JULIA 

Not all; but knows I’m really fond of him. 

RUTH 

Den dat’s all rite f er ver ter meet ’im heer; 

I’ll stay close by, so’s not ter liss’n, but see. 
julia ( laughing ) 

Nay Ruth; but stay to hear and see it all; 

I’d have him at the house, but for the spies. 
ruth ( seriously ) 

Dar’s one y’u sho’ mus’ watch fer, mighty 
close. 

JULIA 

And who is that, so dangerous a foe ? 

RUTH 

It’s Marser Jim, who’s alius lookin’ ’round 
Ter see whut he kin fin’ agin de res’. 

(Enter Stanser ) 

STANSER 

And what have you to hide, you negro wench? 
(To Julia ) 

It’s late for womenkind to be out here 



50 


ROBERT E. LEE 


Where Yankee raiders come and go, betimes. 
julia ( wrathfully ) 

I’d sooner trust the men across the lines 
To guard a woman’s rights, than certain men 
Who stay at home, too cowardly to fight! 
And, sir, I’ll add to that, your presence here 
Is wholly undesired. 

stanser (bowing low) 

I’ll not intrude 

A moment longer, fair and angry maid! 

(Exit Stanser) 

ruth ( laughing) 

Yer sho’ did gib’m a piece yer min’ ma Chile! 
I nebber seed ’im so kerflummex’d yit. 
julia ( indignantly) 

Of all the men, I hate that man the most! 

(Enter Capt. Scott, in civilian dress, approach¬ 
ing and taking Julia's hand.) 

CAPT. SCOTT 

I trust it’s not about myself you speak! 

JULIA 

Rash man! why do you foolishly come here, 
So far across the lines? 

CAPT. SCOTT 

Beloved one, 



ROBERT E. LEE 


51 


My act, though rash, must answer well the 
“why.” 

julia ( smiling) 

’Tis true a maiden oft surmises what 
She’d much prefer her friend would speak 
aloud! 

CAPT. SCOTT 

For love’s own sake, then, Julia, Love, I come! 
(Kisses her hand.) 

JULIA 

And do you really love me, dear, so much? 

CAPT. SCOTT 

I’ll say again, what’s ever sweet to say— 

I love you as I do my life, and more! 

JULIA 

Do you regard the thought that I love you 
Far dearer thought than any thought at all? 

CAPT. SCOTT 

I do, my own. 

JULIA 

And will you promise me 
What I in reason ask? 

CAPT. SCOTT 

I will, my love. 

JULIA 

Then come not here in dreadful risk again 



52 


ROBERT E. LEE 


Until the war shall close its horrid doors. 
Come then ! My heart shall wait your dear ap¬ 
proach. 

{Enter negro woman, in terror.) 

NEGRO WOMAN 

Oh Laws-a-massy me! Dey’s fetchin’ Tom 
To hang him, somewhar heer, so sez dem men! 
julia ( listening) 

They come in this direction! Draw aside, 
And be not seen of them! 

{Scott, Julia, Ruth, and Negro woman draw 
aside.) 

{Enter five masked men, leading Tom hound 
with rope about his neck.) 

THE LEADER 

Well hang him here, 

Where Mistress Julia first at morn, shall see 
The lying scoundrel 'gainst her window-pane 
Adance, most gruesome, swinging to and fro. 
julia {to Ruth) 

I know the leader’s voice! 

RUTH 

It’s Marser Jim’s 

SECOND LEADER 

I like it not to hang him near the house, 

But what we do, we must most quickly do! 



ROBERT E. LEE 


53 


Deserters, such as we, but risk our necks 
In coming from our gloomy hiding place! 

LEADER 

There is no danger, friend! Lee’s far afield. 
We’ll hang the nigger here! Make ready all! 
(Men throw rope over tree-limb and adjust 
noose.) 

And now, old Tom, you’ll learn to threaten me! 
{Leader strikes Tom.) 

TOM 

Marse Jim, de doctors sho’ will cut y’u up, 
An’ w’en dey does, dey’ll fin’ yo’ livver white! 
{Leader strikes Tom again) 
julia {advancing) 

I did not dream there was upon the earth 
A man so mean, so cowardly as you! 

LEADER 

Why lady, cousin mine, it’s far too late 
For you to be from home; but just in time 
To see friend Tom adance! Up with him, men! 
capt. scott {advancing with drawn pistol) 

Hands up! Untie that man! 

{All put up their hands.) 

LEADER 

Cousin mine! 

A Yankee lover, ’cross our lines! a spy! 



54 


ROBERT E. LEE 


CAPT. SCOTT 

Untie that man, and close your dirty lips! 

(Leader looks at companions, then hastily 
unties Tom.) 

(Enter Gen. Long, with party of Confed¬ 
erate soldiers.) 

GEN. LONG (to Julia) 

My fair young hostess, what, I pray, is this 
Display of torches, masks, new ropes and 
guns? 

I trust no harm has come to you or yours! 
julia (embarrassed) 

No harm has come, dear sir, to me or mine; 
But ’twas our chance to interrupt a crime. 

GEN. LONG 

It looks as if you’d spoilt a lynching bee. 

JULIA 

It was just that. 

GEN. LONG 

And who’s the leader there? 

JULIA 

Our cousin Stanser. 

GEN. LONG 

Surely not the man 

Who conscientiously objects to fight 

For State and home! 



ROBERT E. LEE 


55 


JULIA 

The same! It’s Cousin Jim. 
gen. long (to Stanser) 

Do you, dear sir, think guns much worse than 
ropes 

To use—the one t’oppose invading foes, 

The other, ’gainst a faithful friend and slave? 
stanser (tearing off mask) 

The negro’s not a slave, but free. 1 

JULIA 

’Tis true! 

My father freed him many years ago. 

A faithful friend and staunch support is he 
To us, in these most tearful days of war! 

GEN. LONG 

How like our noble Lee! who freed his slaves 
Although it cost him half his property! 

STANSER 

The negro’s bad, and gives his aid to spies! 

GEN. LONG 

Ah, what is that? 
julia (excitedly) 

A false malicious word! 

Oh, pardon sirs! but yet my speech is true. 


lThe free negro was not regarded highly by a certain class 
of whites. 




56 


ROBERT E. LEE 


GEN. LONG 

To prison with these men, and guard them 
well! 

(Guards busy themselves securing Stanser 
and other lynchers.) 

GEN. LONG (to Capt. Scott) 

Whom have we here? By George! it’s King- 
don Scott, 

A Captain under Meade—my classmate friend, 
With whom, at old West Point, I had great 
fun! 

(Long and Scott shakes hands vigorously.) 
It makes me sad to see you here, my friend. 

CAPT. SCOTT 

’Tis war’s ill luck— 

STANSER 

To be a Yankee spy! 

gen. long (to Stanser) 

You have a case that’s all your own, Judge 
Lynch! 

And Lee will hardly look more fav’rably 
Upon your deed, than on my noble friend’s. 
(Exeunt guards with lynchers.) 

GEN. LONG (to Julia) 

Miss Carter, do you need our further care? 



ROBERT E. LEE 


57 


JULIA 

In nothing more, except to say good-bye 
To Captain Scott, my friend, whose courtesy, 
Too rash, has brought him into peril sore. 
capt. scott (bidding good-bye and kissing her 
hand) 

Think not of that, my friend! We’ll live in 
hope. 

gen. long (kissing Julia's hand) 

I think I see it clearly now! In you 
And me he has good friends. On this we’ll 
act. 

{Exeunt Gen. Long and Capt. Scott with sol¬ 
diers.) 

ruth (to Julia, who is weeping) 

Doan’ trubble, Chile! It’ll all cum rite biemby. 

{Exeunt Julia, Ruth, and Tom.) 


ACT II.— Scene 3 

{Culpeper, Virginia.—Camp of Gen. Lee — Be¬ 
fore Headquarters' tent. Enter Gen. Wm. 
Pendleton and Gen. A. L. Long.) 

PENDLETON 

How’s Lee, to-day? 



58 


ROBERT E. LEE 


LONG 

His fever’s much decreased. 

PENDLETON 

Were he to die, our cause would fall apart! 
LONG 

Yes, quickly. God forbid that this occur! 

His death’s the only danger we’ve to fear. 
PENDLETON 

Conditions facing us are bad, friend Long. 

LONG 

Almost as bad as possible. 

PENDLETON 

Almost ? 

LONG 

They would be worse, should Lee resign his 
post. 

PENDLETON 

And do you really think this imminent? 

LONG 

Not so, because of Lee’s self-sacrifice, 

And willingness to bend his mighty neck 

To jealousy and asininity 

Of Civil Pow’r—just for our country’s good— 

{Enter Pres. Davis accompanied by petty 
officer .) 



ROBERT E. LEE 


59 


DAVIS 

Your pardon! Do you think so sadly, Long, 

Of Civil Power’s exercise, indeed! 

LONG 

Your Excellency’s ear caught words of mine 

Without my own intention- 

DAVIS 

Think you, Long 

Our greatest chieftain, Lee, has doubtful plans ? 

LONG 

Of that I would not speak, for he is here! 

(Enter Gen. Lee ) 

lee (extending hand to Davis and smiling) 

Most welcome to our camp, and yours, dear 
sir and friend! 

DAVIS 

How fares it with you, General Lee, in these 
sad days? 

Your Secretary Long is somewhat hurt it 
seems, 

That Civil right, forsooth, too strongly claims 
its own 

Against the purely military creed and act. 

LEE 

The thought of General Long is one with mine, 
dear sir, 

On this most vexed question. 



60 


ROBERT E. LEE 


DAVIS 

What, our Lee, is that? 

LEE 

That all our military matters must be kept 
Entirely separated from the Civil Power. 

DAVIS 

But sir, my right to act is constitutional! 

LEE 

There is no doubt your Excellency’s right ex¬ 
ists, 

But dire necessity compels my urgent plea. 

DAVIS 

And is the case so bad as that? 

(Enter orderly. Hands paper to Lee who 
reads and nods.) 

LEE 

You’ll lead them in! 

(Exit orderly) 

(Hands paper to Davis) 

This Haytard, Congressman, is making here a 
plea 

For certain men of prominence condemned to 
die. 

I’ve asked to have them here, where you may 
help decide. 



ROBERT E. LEE 


61 


( Deserter-lynchers, with Jim Stanser, are led 
in under guard, followed by Congressman 
Haytard, who shakes hands with Davis and 
bows to Lee.) 

HAYTARD 

I’m pleased that you are here, good Mr. Presi¬ 
dent, 

To save us from a grave political mistake. 

LEE 

And what has such a claim to do with these 
bad men? 

HAYTARD 

Just this, that shooting men like these will stir 
up strife. 

LEE 

But why rouse strife, my man? And did they 
not desert? 

HAYTARD 

They claim to be opposed to bearing arms for 
war. 

DAVIS 

Ah, so! 

HAYTARD 

IPs true! 

DAVIS 

And are they of the Quaker sect? 




62 


ROBERT E. LEE 


LEE 

Not that! 

DAVIS 

Nor Menonite? 

LEE 

No church connection’s here; 

It looks as if they make defence upon a fake. 

HAYTARD 

Their consciences should be enough defence for 
men! 

LEE 

Not so! For conscience oft is doubtful guide 
for some. 

HAYTARD 

Still, I contend they’re Constitutionally right, 

And on these grounds appeal to Presidential 
power! 

DAVIS 

Ah, yes, our Lee! Of course it is their privi¬ 
lege; 

The Constitution gives this right to ev’ry one. 

LEE 

But these were caught as lynchers—in the very 
act! 

DAVIS 

Ah! that’s a matter for the State and not the 
Camp. 



ROBERT E. LEE 


63 


lee ( indignantly ) 

It’s also matter for the State, and not the 
Camp 

That day by day our ragged lines the thinner 
grow. 

These other things are also true: our soldiers’ 
hope 

To hold our lines against the foe must soon 
give way 

Except the Civil Power shall stir itself anew 

To help us stop desertions, and furnish new 
supplies 

Of food and shoes and coats to all our fighting 
men, 

Who shiver in the cold because of lack of 
these. 

And, too, recruit new men to fill our thinned 
ranks. 

DAVIS 

But where, our Lee, can other forces still be 
had? 

LEE 

From many idling whites, but most especially 

From out the hordes of black men serving now 
as slaves . 1 


lGen. Lee made this proposal to President Davis. (Vide 
Jones’ Life and Letters of Robert Edward Lee) 




64 


ROBERT E. LEE 


DAVIS 

But never would they fight! 

LEE 

Indeed, dear sir, they would! 

About two hundred thousand on the other side 
Now fight for freedom. 

DAVIS 

Freedom! Ah, that's your note! 

LEE 

Of course! Why not? And so should we but 
justly act 

If we would freedom give to ev’ry one of them 
Who’d gladly fight for us. 

DAVIS 

They might most gladly fight 
And yet I fear that many men who own the 
slaves 

Would fiercely fight for what’s no doubt their 
property. 

LEE 

It’s strange that they’d refuse this plan and 
run the risk 

Of losing all their slaves and other property. 

HAYTARD 

It seems to me you’re on the verge of treason’s 
self! 



ROBERT E. LEE 


65 


lee ( severely) 

And who are you to glibly speak of treason’s 
self? 

You, who, while others do the fighting, stay at 
home ?— 

Whose clientele are such as these, who shun 
the field? 

HAYTARD . 

I’d have you know that I’m engaged in States¬ 
man’s work. 
lee ( frowning) 

Our Statesmen differ much in ilk and service, 
sir! 

While some, like bees, are toiling for the com¬ 
mon good. 

Like vampires others suck our country’s blood. 

HAYTARD 

And do you mean, Commander Lee, that I am 
such? 

LEE 

I think I’ve made my exposition clear enough, 

And so must bid good-day to you! 

(Haytard stands a moment then exit in anger.) 
long (pointing to Stanser and other lynchers) 

Shall these men go? 
lee (to Davis) 

Your Excellency thinks it best? 



66 


ROBERT E. LEE 


DAVIS 

Well yes, it's best. 

LEE 

Then let them go! 

(Prisoners are led out.) 

DAVIS 

Oh, Lee! you must not be much hurt 
That now and then I take the part of men like 
these! 

In Richmond, I am much beset on ev’ry side, 
And many men are finding fault with both of 
us. 

LEE 

The die is cast; my day is o’er; my work is 
done; 

Amidst the rack and roil and fret of foreign 
tasks 

My health is gone. Amid such cares, the fever 
mounts 

Too high for clearest thought. 

My resignation, sir, I place within your hands . 1 

(Hands paper to Davis. Davis, Long, and 
Pendleton in consternation.) 


lGen. Lee wrote President Davis, after Gettysburg, urging 
him to accept his resignation. (Vide Jones or any well- 
known history of Lee. [Author] 





ROBERT E. LEE 


67 


DAVIS 

No harder blow could strike our cause! 

LONG 

It’s true! IBs true! 

PENDLETON 

Dear sir, keep us from such calamity as this! 

LEE 

A younger, stronger man would greatly help 
our cause. 

DAVIS 

No younger, stronger, other man could take 
your place. 

(Enter Surgeon General.) 

But see the Surgeon General comes for you! 

SURGEON GENERAL 

I must insist that General Lee retire at once, 
And rest, in order that his fever be controlled— 
Else many weeks this same sick bed shall make 
its claim! 

DAVIS 

Oh yes, of course! We’ve kept him even now 
too long! 

Forgive me, Lee! God grant your quick re¬ 
turn to health! 




68 


ROBERT E. LEE 


LEE 

My friend, you’re very kind! 
(To Surgeon General) 

I’m at your service, sir. 


( Curtain ) 


{Exeunt all.) 



ROBERT E. LEE 


69 


ACT III.— Scene 1 

( Culpeper, Va., Camp of Lee, Headquarters' tent 
in foreground. Court-martial sitting in front 
of tent. Capt. Scott, before the court, accused 
of being a spy. General Long defending. 
Among those present, Mrs. Scott, Julia, and 
Jim Stanser.) 

gen hill (presiding officer) 

The pris’ner, Capt. Kingdon Scott, is charged 
With being in our lines in masquerade, 

Intent on getting military news 
For use of Union forces, near at hand, 

Most prejudicial to our happiness, 

And safety of our plans for our defence. 

Have you an advocate, sir prisoner? 

CAPT. SCOTT 

I have, your honor, advocate and friend 
In General Long. 
gen. hill (presiding officer) 

It couldn’t be better, sir! 

CAPT. SCOTT 

Of that I am convinced. 

PRESIDING OFFICER 

Let us proceed! 



70 


ROBERT E. LEE 


gen. ewell (attorney for court) 

The case is very plain—admitting, sir, 

No doubt for us, nor any hope for him. 

Our General Long, himself, arrested him. 
This Captain, in the act of holding up 
Five men, intent on lynching Tom, a slave. 
The points which constitute him spy, are these: 
The man was armed; he wore civilian clothes; 
And far within our Southern lines was he. 
No other proof is needed nor required. 

GEN. LONG 

Unfortunately for the cause of truth, 

These things, your honor, can not be denied. 
But here’s a case in which the martinet 
Must not edge in to queer the truth and fact. 
A technicality, as point of law. 

Is moral, when the truth’s not otherwise. 

In this case, sir, I know whereof I speak, 
Scott’s innocent of any spying act. 

PRESIDING OFFICER 

But has the Gen’ral any proof of this? 

LONG 

I know he came accepted lover-friend 
Of one who’s dear to me as child of mine. 

PRESIDING OFFICER 

How many days was he within our lines ? 



ROBERT E. LEE 


71 


LONG 

An hour or two—so long as he required, 

By rapid riding, 'tween the lines of both. 

ATTORNEY FOR COURT 

I call Jim Stanser to the witness stand. 

PRESIDING OFFICER 

Is Stanser here? 

STANSER 

He is. 

PRESIDING OFFICER 

Come forward sir! 

LONG 

I hope your worship’ll not permit this man 
To testify before these men of truth! 

He stays from war, on tender conscience’ plea 
But he himself is wholly conscienceless. 

While others fight, he walks the wide domain 
And preys upon the fears of timid slaves. 
Why, he’s the very man I caught that night, 
Affiliating with deserters, sirs, 

Whom you, yourselves, convicted here, withal! 

ATTORNEY FOR COURT 

The President, your honor, nullified 

Our finding, freeing all the men from blame! 

PRESIDING OFFICER 

Although the man is most contemptible, 



72 


ROBERT E. LEE 


We’ll have t’ admit his testimony here. 
attorney for court ( to Stanser) 

You’ll tell the Court just where you first saw 
Scott. 

STANSER 

The day before he says he left his lines. 

ATTORNEY FOR COURT 

And where was he? 

STANSER 

In woods not far away. 

ATTORNEY FOR COURT 

What doing, sir? 

STANSER 

Conferring with a black. 

ATTORNEY FOR COURT 

Where is this negro, sir? 

STANSER 

He’s fled the place— 

ATTORNEY FOR COURT 

These words, your honor, have the ring of 
truth, 

And make the case look bad for Captain Scott. 
LONG 

Why, Stanser, did you not report this thing? 

STANSER 

I thought that Scott was but some citizen. 



ROBERT E. LEE 


73 


LONG 

I’m done with you! 

ATTORNEY FOR COURT 

You’ll stand aside, young man. 

LONG 

I’ll ask Miss Carter’s presence on the stand. 

PRESIDING OFFICER 

And will Miss Carter greatly honor us ? 

{Julia advances and takes the oath.) 

LONG 

Miss Carter, do you know this man ? 

JULIA 

I do. 

LONG 

Has he your personal esteem ? 

JULIA 

He has. 

LONG 

And has he visited your home before? 

JULIA 

Yes, many times he has, for sev’ral years. 

ATTORNEY FOR COURT 

And why was it your friend was not received 
On this occasion, in your home, as wont? 

JULIA 

’Twas my own fault! I stopped him on the 
way. 



74 


ROBERT E. LEE 


ATTORNEY FOR COURT 

And why? 

JULIA 

I felt that he was risking much, 

And asked that he should cease his visits, sir, 
Until our war should close. 

ATTORNEY FOR COURT 

Well, that may do. 

{Julia retires to her seat.) 

PRESIDING OFFICER 

And do you rest your case here, Gen’ral Long ? 

LONG 

I’ve nothing more to say, good gentlemen, 
Except to stake our cause upon the truth 
Of my contention, strongly fenced as ’tis 
By word of this fair friend of the accused. 

I trust you’ll take the case, and weighing these 
Against a legal technicality, 

Put in your righteous votes acquitting him. 

ATTORNEY FOR COURT 

A verdict for th’ accused, good sirs, is not 
Within the range of possibility, 

In face of such o’erwhelming evidence. 

PRESIDING OFFICER 

The ballot’ll now be taken, gentlemen. 



ROBERT E. LEE 


75 


(The four members of Court hand their bal¬ 
lots to Presiding Officer who notes them 
and rising speaks.) 

A good and noble officer,, of whom 

We’ve always heard as brave and kindly foe, 

Must pay the price of his most daring act! 

It fills my throat with grief to tell the tale 
And, would to God, disproof were possible 
Of these most dreadful technicalities 
That sends him to his death! 

GEN. LONG 

Sir, I appeal! 

PRESIDING OFFICER 

The right is yours, of course, good Gen’ral 
Long. 

And ’twere not for the fact the times are bad 
There would be hope, no doubt, of clemency. 
And now, I’ll ask of Captain Scott, th’ accused 
If he has ought to say. 

CAPT.SCOTT 

I’ve nothing sir, 

Except to thank kind friends in sympathy, 
Who know that I, though rash, am innocent. 

(Court adjourns. Prisoner is led away un¬ 
der guard.) 



76 


ROBERT E. LEE 


ACT III 

Scene 2. (In grove before Carter home.) 

(Enter Ruth, Negro maid, who busies herself 
kindling a small bonfire. Hums to herself the 
Southern melody of u The Mocking Bird,” as 
she works. Also brings in small table and sev¬ 
eral chairs. Mrs. Carter and Julia enter, take 
seats and begin knitting.) 

JULIA 

How beautiful these bonfires glow these nights, 
Among the trees which cast their shadows high, 
Like unto ghosts which flit and rest close by. 

I don’t regret we have no candles now! 1 

ruth (looking around apprehensively) 

What dat y’u say ’bout ghoses bein’ heer? 

julia (laughing) 

Nothing worse than shadows ’mong the leaves. 

RUTH 

Young Mistis, Marser Stanser’s done got loose! 
I thort I orter tell y’u. 

julia (startled) 

Stanser free! 


Light-wood (pine rich in turpentine) was used instead 
of candles, but out of doors on account of its heavy black 
smoke.—Author. 




ROBERT E. LEE 


77 


RUTH 

Yess marm! I seed ’m wid dese werry eyes. 
mrs. carter ( apprehensively ) 

Oh, when and where was that bad man about? 

RUTH 

Dis mawnin’, nigh de nigger quarters, marm— 

MRS. CARTER 

Alone ? 

RUTH 

No marm. Some fin’ dress’d gemmen wuz 
Er-prowlin’ here an’ dar wid Marser Jim. 

MRS. CARTER 

I really am alarmed, oh Julia dear! 
julia ( contemptuously ) 

Don’t worry much! He’s always been a sneak, 
Why change his habits now ? 

MRS. CARTER 

No doubt you’re right. 

But let’s make haste to warn old Tom in time. 

(Rings small table bell.) 

His grudge appears to be against our Tom. 

RUTH 

No, Mistis! He’s er-tryin’ hard, rite now, 
Ter make de niggers tink dat he’s deir frien’— 
Eer-doin’ dis an’ doin’ dat fer all! 

But he can’t ’ceive nobody, speshly me— 

It’s all jes’ fer er bline! 



78 


ROBERT E. LEE 


MRS. CARTER 

What does he wish? 

RUTH 

He’s arter Mistis Juley. Dats ’is game! 

(Enter Tom.) 
mrs. carter ( alarmed ) 

Do you think so good Tom? 
tom ( respectfully) 

Whut’s dat yer ax? 

MRS. CARTER 

That Cousin Jim intends to carry off 
Your Mistress here? 

JULIA 

But Ruth did not mean that! 

RUTH 

Oh, yessum! Sho’ I meaned jes’ dat Young 
Miss! 

TOM 

He may be hyar fer dat—an’ maybe not; 

But he ain’ gwine ter tetch yer, Mistis, sho’, 
While I is hyar, so doan’ yer be too skeered! 

(Exit Tom.) 

julia {sadly) 

Not near so much does that disturb my mind 
As how it fares with him who rashly paid 
A visit here that had the saddest end! 

{Enter Jim Stanser.) 



ROBERT E. LEE 


79 


STANSER 

Upon a precipice of peril stands 
The man of whom you speak—Our Captain 
Scott! 

julia ( scornfully ) 

You speak of this with some elation, sir! 

STANSER 

Elation? No! For I regret his fate. 

MRS. CARTER 

Of what is he accused? 

STANSER 

Of spying ma’am! 

MRS. CARTER 

Ridiculous! They know he’s not a spy. 

JULIA 

He’s nothing more than prisoner of war. 

STANSER 

He’s nothing less, you mean, but something 
more— 

Civilian clothing makes the difference! 

JULIA 

Suppose he did not wear the soldier garb? 

STANSER 

That fact itself will constitute him spy. 

MRS. CARTER 

I don’t believe our Lee will be deceived 
By such a false, malicious charge as that! 



80 


ROBERT E. LEE 


STANSER 

Nay, don’t count on your Cousin Lee, just now. 
Not only is he ill, but losing grip 
With all the people south of our State, 

With Congress (halls of frivolous debate), 
With Davis (Constitutionally mad!) 

JULIA 

A high opinion of our government! 

STANSER 

Not that! I only tell just what it is. 

JULIA 

And why sir, have you come to tell us this? 

STANSER 

To speak most plainly, Cousin Julia Ann, 

It is to test your love of Captain Scott! 

And also, brazenly propose to you 
That I will guarantee to clear his name 
Of this most serious and deadly charge, 

If you’ll forget his love, accepting mine. 
julia ( indignantly) 

Your proposition’s vile as ’tis unwise! 

The fact that such proposal’s possible 
Precludes all love of mine for such as you! 
How could you so bemean us both, dear sir ? 

STANSER 

My love for you is long, while his is brief— 



ROBERT E. LEE 


81 


My love has stricken in, while his, just born, 

Is but a puling infant! 

JULIA 

Qualities 

Are necessary for the maiden’s love— 

The good, the true, the brave, the kind, the 
great, 

Unselfish, gentle, and considerate! 

Now which of these does your proposal show? 
stanser ( laughing ) 

I think my cousin’s thoughts a bit too high 
For these prosaic, homespun days of war! 

I do not think that e’en th’ angellic Scott 
Inherits or attains to all of these. 
julia ( rising) 

With your consent we’ll cease this interview. 

STANSER 

Not yet, except you seal the fate of Scott! 

JULIA 

I’ll risk it all! The manly men will act. 

STANSER 

He’ll face the firing squad, Miss Julia Ann, 
And you shall find your place within these 
arms 

And not within a Yankee spy’s embrace! 
{Stanser advances toward Julia. Mrs. Car- 



82 


ROBERT E. LEE 


ter rises and stands between them, facing 
Stanser.) 

MRS. CARTER 

Jim Stanser! Shirley Carter’s still alive 
He’ll terribly avenge his sister’s wrong! 
stanser ( faltering) 

Ah, no, old Tom has lied about your son, 
{Enter Tom, who advances and regards 
Stanser sternly. Stanser retires slowly.) 
I’ve men within my call; but I’ll desist, 

Until another time. But hear young Miss: 
This Negro’s time will come ere many days, 
And so shall that of spying Captain Scott. 
And, too, your crime shall be the same as his. 
But you, I’ll save just for myself alone! 

{Exit Stanser.) 

julia {who is embraced in terror by her mother) 
I do not fear the coward’s threat, my dear. 
Let’s now retire. Good Tom will safely guard. 

{Exit Mrs. Carter and Julia.) 

tom {to Ruth) 

You go, an’ sleep befo’ Miss Juley’s doah! 1 

{Exit Ruth) 

An’ I’ll shet up dat hous’ mos’ tite an’ shore. 

{Exit Tom) 

lThe Negro slave’s fidelity was universally attested by all 
slave owners during our war between the States. 




ROBERT E. LEE 


83 


ACT III 

Scene 3. (The same.) 

(Enter Pick, a small Negro child. He is hurrying 
away when Tom enters and takes him by the 
shoulders kindly.) 

TOM 

Whar yer gwine 1 ma’ chile ? 

PICK 

I ain’ gwine nowhar. 

TOM 

Why ain’ yer gwine nowhar? 

PICK 

Kase, I ain’ got no place ter be gwine to. 

TOM 

Whar am yer Mammy, Chile ? 

pick (beginning to cry) 

My Mammy, she’s up ter young Marser Stan- 
ser’s house. 

TOM 

Whar yer Pappy? 

PICK 

He runned away kase Marser Stanser treat ’im 
so bad. 


lGoing. 




84 


ROBERT E. LEE 


TOM 

How’d he treat ’im so bad ? 

PICK 

He whup ’im on he naked back. 

TOM 

Whaf’fur he whup ’im? 

PICK 

He hear’n Pappy sade he wanter be free, lak 
y’u. 

tom (shaking his head sorrowfully) 

Marser Stanser am a pow’ful mean man! 

Did he whup yer Pappy w’ile I’se gone? 

PICK 

Yassir, he whup ’im two times han’ gwine. 2 

TOM 

Whaf’fur did he do dat? 

PICK 

Kase Pappy didn’ wan’ ’im er cornin’ ter see 
my Mammy! 

tom (taking Pick by the hand) 

Cum erlong wid me, ma’ Chile! 

PICK 

Whar yer gwine, Granpap? 

TOM 

I’se gwine ter see Marser Lee, dat’s whar I’se 
gwine, 


2Twice in succession. 




ROBERT E. LEE 


85 


An’ I wants y’u ter go erlong wid me! 

(Exeunt Tom and Pick.) 


ACT III 

(Scene 4. (Same as 3.) 

(Enter Congressmen Stanser, Haytard, and 
Shortway, Messrs. Bungle, Editor Kussum, and 
Jim Stanser.) 

CONGRESSMAN STANSER 

We’ve reached a turning point in our affairs. 
The time has come for us to think and act. 

I move that Mr. Bungle take the chair- 

EDITOR KUSSUM 

It gives me pleasure, sir, to second that! 

A man with courage of opinion, sir. 

CONGRESSMAN STANSER 

Do all agree? There’s no objection heard. 
And will you, Mr. Bungle, take the chair? 

(Bungle, taking the presiding seat; first sits, 
then rises.) 

BUNGLE 

Ahem! You do me proud! You do me proud! 
We’re all in danger, danger, gentlemen. 

We all must act, must act, must bravely act! 




86 


ROBERT E. LEE 


Unless we act, the sun no more will shine 
Above our grassy vales and wooded hills 
The same as yesterday, yesterday. 

A man of action, sirs, is now our need! 

I say this, too, without the slightest fear 
Of contradiction, contradiction, sirs. 

{Takes his seat on a log.) 

SHORT WAY 

Will someone tell us, please, why we are here? 

BUNGLE 

Of course, of course, our Mr. Stanser sir, 

A most distinguished man, who hates Bob Lee, 
And I for one, would be much pleased, much 
pleased 

To use my influence sir, to have Lee hanged! 

SHORT WAY 

Does not the noble chairman still forget, 

To state, explicitly, why we’re here? 

BUNGLE 

Of course! Of course! But Mr. Stanser will 
I’m sure, now state our meeting’s object, sir! 

CONGRESSMAN STANSER 

We’ve come here, gentlemen, to take some act 
Against the policies of Gen’ral Lee. 

SHORT WAY 

Please speak in some detail, and let us know 



ROBERT E. LEE 


87 


Just what our Gen’ral Lee attempts to do. 

EDITOR KUSSUM 

One thing, I say right now, he didn’t do— 

He didn’t take my advice just how to wage 
The fight at Gettysburg—a simple plan 
That even a little child could understand. 

And General Longstreet showed a better plan. 

CONGRESSMAN STANSER 

In answer to your question, sir, Bob Lee 
Has plans, which carried out, must take away 
Our Southern wealth and cherished privilege. 

shortway ( interrupting) 

And would you name a single plan of his! 

JIM STANSER 

One plan is that our forces concentrate 
Attacking Washington! 

SHORT WAY 

And what’s his thought? 

JIM STANSER 

He says, that as at present waged, the war 
Has scattered Southern forces far and near, 
And made their lines so thin at ev’ry point 
That no advance is possible for us. 

SHORT WAY 

And is this true? 



88 


ROBERT E. LEE 


JIM STANSER 

Indeed I think it is. 

SHORT WAY 

Then why the deuce are we complaining, sir ? 
CONGRESSMAN STANSER 

To follow such a plan, he’d soon destroy 
Our greatest principle—the rights of States. 

SHORTWAY 

But think you we can ever whip the North 
Unless we follow some such plan as that! 

CONGRESSMAN STANSER 

We’re counting now upon the Trent affair. 

SHORTWAY 

A veritable broken reed, I fear! 
bungle ( rising ) 

Let me, let me, produce the worst of all— 
This Lee would free our slaves, yes free our 
slaves, 

If they would fight for us, would fight for us! 
I’d like to know what would become of me, 
With all my slaves a-fighting, sir, with guns? 

SHORTWAY 

For whom would they be fighting, with their 
guns? 

BUNGLE 

For whom? No matter sir! That’s not the 
thing! 



ROBERT E. LEE 


89 


The question is sir, what’d become of me? 

(Takes seat.) 

HAYTARD 

The time is fast approaching, gentlemen, 
When England’s great Commander will be 
here! 

Lord Wolseley, of the British Army, sirs, 

At my most earnest invitation given. 

He comes to hear what we intend to say- 

(Enter Lord Wolesley, commander of Bri¬ 
tish armies.) 

BUNGLE 

It gives us greatest pleasure, dearest sir, 

To have you here with us distinguished men. 

LORD WOLSELEY 

You’re kind, I’m sure. 

BUNGLE 

Don’t speak of it, my Lord. 

You see, we know you English much desire 
To fight the North about the Trent affair. 

WOLSELEY 

By Jove! 

BUNGLE 

Yes, that’s the word to use, my Lord! 

Though some in here use stronger words, 
sometimes. 





90 


ROBERT E. LEE 


For one, I like the milder ones—don’t you? 

WOLSELEY 

Upon my word! Ah, sir, you flatter me! 

BUNGLE 

But, coming quickly to the Trent affair, 

I wish to say that Lee’s opposed, opposed 
To waiting, sir, to waiting for the North 
To fight you Englishmen, you Englishmen! 
He says the North will send the envoys back, 
Apologize, and that will end it all. 

Now sir, we all hate Lee. He’s ruining us. 
We’d like for you to say a helpful word— 

A sort of spider in the dumpling, sir,— 

To Davis, Davis sir, against this man! 

WOLSELEY 

So, on my way to Jericho, I’ve fall’n 
Among a certain class of pilferers! 

Back there among the thieves, but gold it was. 
But here, it’s reputation’s nobler loot. 

I’ve this to say, of Gen’ral Lee, my friend: 

To me he seemed the greatest man with whom 
I e’er conversed—the ablest Gen’ral, too, 
Although with Moltke, shrewd, and Bismarck, 
great, 

I’ve had some soldier-conversation, sirs. 

Most potently impressed and awed was I 



ROBERT E. LEE 


91 


By Lee’s inherent greatness.—Surely, men, 
The years can ne’er dispel, nor cause to fade, 
Most cherished recollections, from my life, 

Of Lee—the great, majestic, manly Lee! 

His genial, winning grace affects me still. 

The sweetness of his smile renews its charm 
Through all th’ events of rugged soldier-life! 
His greatness made me humble; ne’er felt I 
My own true insignificance, withal 
More keenly than when in his presence great. 1 

{Exit.) 

{Curtain) 


lAlmost Lord Wolseley’s own words. 




92 


ROBERT E. LEE 


ACT IV— Scene 1 

(Near Gettysburg, at home of Colonel Scott, of 
the Union Army. Capt. Shirley Carter, of the 
Confederate Army, reclining in invalid's wheel 
chair. Mrs. Scott is knitting. Peggy, her 
daughter, is reading aloud.) 

peggy (laying down her book) 

How tame do all the books now seem to me! 
When great events, so real and close at hand 
Are taking place. 

MRS. SCOTT 

Alas! how true and sad! 

And yet it gives us rest from dread alarms 
And helps forget the awful risks of son 
And husband dear, upon those battle-fields 
Out there, where Captain Carter fought and 
fell, 

Confederate guest here in our Union home, 
And whom we pitied first, then learned to like, 
Though on the other side in this sad war. 

CAPT. CARTER 

Ah, Madam, never can I well repay, 

Nor e’er forget what both of you have done 
To lure me back from death’s cold clammy 
verge, 



ROBERT E. LEE 


93 


Amidst the warmth and kindly care of home! 
Both mother brave, and Julia would rejoice 
To know that God has placed me in such care. 

peggy ( archly) 

’Twas Julia’s name you most did call upon 
When fever-tossed you spoke of love and 
home ! 

CAPT. CARTER 

No doubt, for she and I are one in heart. 
peggy ( confused ) 

You must indeed rejoice in Julia’s love— 
For your delirium was most enslaved! 

CAPT. CARTER 

How glad I am to know that it was so; 

To tell her this will please her, I am sure. 

peggy ( laughingly ) 

Oh, think you so, my dear, conceited friend ? 
capt. carter ( surprised) 

Why not? We pleasure those we love the most, 
By nature’s language speaking out the heart. 

PEGGY 

And is it true there’s no conceit in love ? 

CAPT. CARTER 

I’m not expert, yet think conceit in love 
Is self-conceit—there, one and one makes one. 



94 


ROBERT E. LEE 


mrs. carter (rising to go) 

How wise are both in talk of love’s conceit! 
I’ve had my lesson hitherto, my dears, 

And leave you two to fight it out. 
peggy ( laughing) 

Oh, ma’am, 

You really are, sometimes, impossible! 

{Exit Mrs. Carter) 
peggy {rising and pouring medicine in glass , 
hands it to Capt. Carter and continues) 
And now, my Captain brave, I’ll give you dose 
Which all conceit shall take from you—at least 
While gentle sleep diffuses o’er your frame. 
capt. carter {holding glass) 

Nay, put me not to sleep with Morphic dose 
And waken me with that which fires your eyes! 
Too soon I speak, perhaps, yet must I not 
Postpone what now my heart demands I speak. 
peggy {agitated) 

Oh don’t say that, for I am sure your words 
Would not please much fair Julia of your 
dreams. 

{Enter Mrs. Scott , excitedly) 

MRS. SCOTT 

Come, Peg, your father’s here with visitors! 
Both he and General Meade have ridden up, 



ROBERT E. LEE 


95 


And now are at our door. I fear me much, 
Our Captain Carter’s presence shall be known! 

peggy ( alarmed ) 

Oh, mother, he belongs to us! We’ll hide 
Him from their eyes! We brought him back 
from death! 

CAPT. CARTER 

Ah, don’t do that! It may bring harm to you! 
I must insist you make it known at once! 

(Exeunt Mrs. Scott and Peggy—the latter 
pushing invalided Captain in wheel-chair.) 
(Enter Col. Scott, Gen. Geo. C. Meade, Fed¬ 
eral Commander at Gettysburg; and Gen. 
Hunter .) 

GEN. MEADE 

Well, Colonel Scott, your home was left un¬ 
touched 

By Lee’s stout lines. 

COL. SCOTT 

Except for some supplies 

Most badly needed, naught was taken else. 

GEN. MEADE 

I hear that what they needed most was shoes. 
No doubt! They fight much better than they 
march. 



96 


ROBERT E. LEE 


COL. SCOTT 

You’re right, for wife said General Heth said 
that. 

GEN. MEADE 

And was their conduct toward our women 
good? 

COL. SCOTT 

Most excellent, despite the fact that some 
Began at first to commandeer hot meals. 

GEN. MEADE 

And why did they desist? Or, did they so? 
{Enter Mrs . Scott and Peggy.) 

COL. SCOTT 

Ah, here is Mistress Scott and Saucy Peg, 
Who’ve much to say about the courteous Heth. 

GEN. MEADE 

But not until I’ve greeted Mistress Scott, 

And fairest Peggy, grown beyond my ken! 
{Shakes hands with ladies ) 

MRS. SCOTT 

We greet the gallant Meade, of Gettysburg! 
GEN. MEADE ( seriously ) 

Ah, say not so! for General Halleck thinks 1 
We did but poorly there upon that field! 


lHalleck criticised Gen. Meade severely. (Author) 




ROBERT E. LEE 


97 


MRS. SCOTT 

And was it not a victory for us? 

GEN. MEADE 

A victory for us in this respect— 

Though we didn’t win, Bob Lee the battle lost! 
Though Washington was saved, we conquered 
not! 

Though not beyond the fi’ry galling lines 
Of Cemetery Ridge the grayish hosts 
Advanced their charging ranks, yet, ably they 
Recrossed the broad Potomac whence they 
came. 

But tell us, hostess fair, if Heth’s bad men 
Got on your nerves in asking meals of you? 

MRS. SCOTT 

Not long, for General Heth, at my complaint, 
Threw some in jail, and to the rest he read, 
From Lee himself, commands forbidding such, 
Exhorting all to act as gentlemen . 2 

GEN. MEADE 

How like to Lee! the noblest of them all! 
No devastated homes e’er mark his march. 
But how unlike his fellow Virginian here, 
Our General Hunter, famous for his raids. 


2General order of Lee. 




98 


ROBERT E. LEE 


GEN. HUNTER 

But don’t you think that policy the best— 

To burn in raids and terrify our foe? 

GEN. MEADE 

Such acts but bring reprisals, sore and sad, 
Wherein not men, but women, suffer most. 
peggy (approaching and laying her hand gently 
on Gen. Meade's arm) 

How grand and noble, sir! How proud are we 
That those who lead, respect the weak at home! 
We can not fight, but only weep and pray. 
gen. meade (taking Peggy's hand and kissing it 
in courtly way) 

Not weak, my dear, but strong, inspiring all 
Who take the ardent field and live in camps. 

( Exeunt) 


ACT IV 

Scene 2. (Confederate Camp, before Lee’s 

tent; guard walking up and down.) 

(Enter Tom, hat in hand, accompanied by Pick. 
Approaches guard.) 

guard 

What seek you, old man? 



ROBERT E. LEE 


99 


TOM 

I’d like ter see Marser Lee, if yer mought 
Please ter ’low me ter do dat, sur. 

GUARD 

Wait here a moment. ( Goes into the tent and 
returns immediately, beckoning to Tom, who 
enters the tent with Pick.) 

GUARD 

I wonder what he wants! They all run to 
General Lee about anything and everything, 
and he never refuses to see them. 

Lord knows, he has troubles enough! 

(Enter Lee from tent, accompanied by Tom 
and Pick.) 

lee (shaking hands with Tom) 

Good-bye, friend Tom! I’m glad you came to 
me. 

Be sure I’ll do whate’er I can to bring 
Full justice to that man! 

tom (about to leave) 

I thankee, sur! 

lee (advancing and again shaking Tom's hand) 
Old Tom, good friend, and boyhood’s playmate 
true , 1 


lThe child of the slave-owner played with the child of the 
slave, and there was a genuine affection between them. 




100 


ROBERT E. LEE 


Throughout the old plantation’s fields and 
woods, 

I speak to you to-day as man to man. 

So now go home, old friend; I’ll take good care 
That justice shall be done against your foe. 

(Exeunt Tom and Pick) 
No sympathy with slavery have I ; 

Long since I freed all slaves I held as mine, 
And would the millions free, had I all these. 
But blame is not alone upon the South 
For bondage of our fellow-creatures here; 
Americans must share alike the fault 
Of trade for gold in human flesh and blood! 
Although, please God, the South shall win its 
fight, 

Yet Slavery, as a system, can not last. 

And, on the other hand, if Federal troops 
Do cover all this land like forest leaves 
Bestrew themselves at frost’s first bite in Fall, 
Then, too, the slave no more shall sadly croon 
His mournful plaint above his evening fire; 

But sing, instead, his first glad freedom’s song! 

( j Exit) 



ROBERT E. LEE 


101 


ACT IV 

(Scene 3. (Same as preceding.) 

( Campfire. Evening. S entries.) 

(Enter Gen. Hill (Presiding Officer of the Court 
Martial) and Gen. Long) 

LONG 

A man that’s innocent goes to his death! 

My friend, this Captain Kingdon Scott, must 
die. 

HILL 

How close is death to life—the bad to good! 

LONG 

How far is mediate truth from that we know 
To be a truth immediate to the heart! 

HILL 

Regard for this had made me nolle pros 
This whole affair, and let the captain go, 
Except the proof’s so really clear and strong 
’Twould be a legal crime. 

(Enter Gen. Lee from tent.) 

LEE 

You’re welcome, both! 

HILL 

We thank you, sir! We come on saddest call. 
(Hands Lee verdict of Court-martial) 



102 


ROBERT E. LEE 


LEE 

It’s sad indeed! And yet it is but just 
That sad necessities of war be met. 

LONG 

I would you might be lenient, Gen’ral Lee! 

LEE 

Why does my Secretary thus appeal ? 

LONG 

I don’t believe the man is guilty, sir. 

LEE 

And have you proof of this ? 

LONG 

Alas! not so. 

LEE 

Your heart is tender, friend, and so is mine, 
Upon this case most sad of Captain Scott. 

I knew his father well; a soldier true. 

His son, I hear, is much his sort of man. 

(To Hill ) 

What think you of the case, kind Gen’ral Hill ? 
hill (sadly) 

The facts all go to prove his guilt. 

LEE 

Alas! 

My friend and Secretary, Gen’ral Long, 

It cuts me to the heart to answer “No.” 

Still, had I but the slend’rest thread of proof, 



ROBERT E. LEE 


103 


To hang an act of clemency upon, 

My answer’d be the gladdest “Yes,” instead. 

(Exit Lee within tent) 

HILL 

’Tis discipline which strikes sledge-hammer 
blows 

Upon the heart that’s tender as a girl’s! 

Yet discipline is master of his life. 

(Enter Julia Carter) 

JULIA 

Oh, where is Gen’ral Lee? 

(Enter Lee from tent) 

LEE 

I’m here my child! 

What brings you, so intent, at this late hour? 
JULIA 

Dear sir, it is about the man condemned. 

LEE 

Speak out, if but you. may advantage him! 

JULIA 

Despite the fact I count these others friends, 
Dear Gen’ral, I would speak with you alone! 

(Exeunt Gens. Long and Hill) 

LEE 

Speak out, my little friend, and do not fear. 
JULIA 

To me you are the most revered and feared 



104 


ROBERT E. LEE 


Of all our noble Southern leaders, sir! 

And yet Em told I should not be afraid 
Of those who are themselves courageous. 

What Priam’s noble son once meant to Troy, 
This you have meant to me from childhood’s 
days. 

My father, who was of your mother’s blood, 
Taught me, at lisping time, to honor well 
The manly names of Washington and Lee. 
Since then, I’ve joined the two in reverence. 
The one who taught me in my infant days 
Gave up his life near Bull Run’s red’ning 
flood. 

My brother, wounded sore at Gettysburg, 

Yet lies a pris’ner of the gallant Meade. 

But, since these most unhappy days set in, 
Old Tom, a former slave, a noble black, 

Has shielded us from hateful Cousin Jim, 
Who fears Tom’s arm, sir, as he does the 
front. 

Jim Stanser, too, who’s playing such a part 
Against this Captain Scott, whose love is mine 
(We having been affianced sev’ral months 
Before our country stood apart in war), 

Jim Stanser, zealous in his suit of me, 

Now seeks the consummation of his plans 
By ruining him, perchance, most in his way. 



ROBERT E. LEE 


105 


His story, that he saw brave Captain Scott 
The day before my friend, at pistol point, 
Held Stanser and the four deserters up, 

Is falsified by letter I possess 
From Captain Scott. Which letter clearly 
proves 

The day the Captain saw me at my home 
Was same as that he left the Union camp. 

The missive should have been produced before; 
But madien modesty forbade that I 
Expose in open court the lover’s vows, 
Intended only for the maiden’s eyes— 

And other words most evidential, sir, 

That I, myself, had yielded promise too 
Of marriage vows, when this sad war is o’er. 
(Hands letter to Lee) 
lee (reading letter) 

My child, your story’d be a healing balm 1 
To this old war-enduring heart of mine, 

If but it did contain the proof you claim. 
Beyond the finding wise of any court 
Is simple story coming from the heart, 

If but that heart speaks for itself alone; 

But when it speaks a lover’s weal to woo, 

And trusts itself to what that other says, 


lGen. Lee was notably the friend of young people of both 
sexes. 





106 


ROBERT E. LEE 


Then complicate it must become to us, 
Suggesting lures against discovery. 
julia {in tears) 

But sir, I know he came here not to spy! 

LEE 

No doubt he’s true, and good, and noble, too. 
So man with maid will do the honorable, 

And yet, though steeped in maiden’s deepest 
love, 

Will still dissemble for his country’s weal. 

JULIA 

And can you not, sir, give me any hope? 

LEE 

Not hope too fervent, Dear, but this I’ll say; 
I’ll sift the matter out with deepest care, 

And thought, and prayer, until the fatal hour. 
Oh war! Oh war! When shall it ever end . 2 
julia {in sorrow) 

But don’t you think that peace must sometime 
come? 

LEE 

Oh, yes. For come it must, in God’s own time, 
When men have settled questions on the field 
Which should have passed in legislative halls. 

{Exit Lee) 

2He spent actually thirty years as an active soldier—25 
years for the Federal Government. Gen. Winfield Scott was 
his chief much of this time. 




ROBERT E. LEE 


107 


ACT IV 

Scene 4. (Same as preceding.) 

{Julia, hurrying away, is met by Jim Stanser 
entering.) 

JIM STANSER 

Please stop a moment, Cousin Julia Ann! 

JULIA 

I’m hurried, sir, and wish no word with you! 

JIM STANSER 

My word has life and death contained in it! 

JULIA 

Is’t only repetition of your suit? 

JIM STANSER 

But now, I plead upon a certainty! 

JULIA 

Ah, what? 

JIM STANSER 

That Scott is surely going to die! 

JULIA 

’Tis false, for Lee, himself, knows not as yet! 

JIM STANSER 

But others know what Lee himself does not. 

JULIA 

Pray, what ? 



108 


ROBERT E. LEE 


JIM STANSER 

The President says Scott shall die. 

JULIA 

But Gen’ral Lee is the Commander, sir! 

JIM STANSER 

He is; but Davis, as the President, 
Outranks, as Chief, your great Commander, 
Miss! 

JULIA 

But Lee and Davis, sir, are still great friends. 

JIM STANSER 

Ah, that is all the worse for Captain Scott. 

JULIA 

The worse? 

JIM STANSER 

I mean the worse. 

JULIA 

But how the worse? 

JIM STANSER 

For months your Lee has pled that every one 
Convicted of a crime shall meet his fate, 

So, that his army may be heartened up, 

The President has granted this to him. 

JULIA 

Alas, that such should be the case just now! 



ROBERT E. LEE 


109 


JIM STANSER 

You know the remedy! 

JULIA 

Don’t say it, sir! 

JIM STANSER 

If you will marry me, then Scott shall live! 

JULIA 

What pow’r have you that’s greater than all 
else? 

JIM STANSER 

My father and the Hay tar d clique control 
The President! 

JULIA 

The latter loves our Lee! 

JIM STANSER 

As said before, that makes it worse for Scott. 

JULIA 

We’ll end this talk! 

(Starts off; Stanser confronts her.) 

JIM STANSER 

And shall your lover die? 

JULIA 

He shall, if life’s conditioned on your will. 

JIM STANSER 

I thought you loved him much! 



110 


ROBERT E. LEE 


JULIA 

And so I do! 

JIM STANSER 

Then why become his executioner? 

JULIA 

His body, death shall suffer by my act, 

But yet, his soul shall live exhilerant 
In thought that rather I preferred he’d die 
Than prostitute the love I had for him. 

JIM STANSER 

Oh bosh! Then he shall die! 

JULIA 

If that’s the price! 

{Exit Julia) 

JIM STANSER 

The girl is of the real heroic sort, 

And means just what she says. 

The flashing of her brave and honest eyes 
(Like lightning from the Summer’s bluest 
heav’n) 

Startles me with the trueness of their aim. 
But I’ll subdue and bow that valiant head! 

{Exit Jim Stanser) 



ROBERT E. LEE 


111 


ACT IV 

Scene 5. (Same as preceding) 

(Enter Lee and Hill) 

LEE 

Ah sir, I’m pained at what I’m going to do, 

In this sad case of Captain Kingdon Scott! 

HILL 

I’m sorry for this man and all concerned, 

But see no other outlet than his death. 

LEE 

Yes, so it seems. Eve just reviewed the case. 

HILL 

It’s girt about with plainest evidence. 

LEE 

My heart says no ; but discipline says yes. 

HILL 

You’ve been a Duty-man, Commander Lee. 

LEE 

A bitter master has it been to me, 

And yet, there’s joy in doing duty, sir! 1 
(Enter Presdient Davis) 

DAVIS 

Well, Lee, despite the fact that we’ve agreed 


lDespite his great gentleness, Lee was firmness itself in 
the matter of military discipline. All authorities agree as 
to this. 




112 


ROBERT E. LEE 


To back Court-Martial findings, once they’re 
made, 

A silly rumor says that you intend 
To pardon Captain Scott. 

LEE 

It is not true! 

The rumor is not based upon a fact! 

DAVIS 

About this matter, Bungle’s coming here, 
Accomp’nied by two friends of his, not yours — 
The Stanser-Haytard combination, sir. 

LEE 

The last are dang’rous men; the first, who’s 
rich, 

And owns so many slaves, is but a man 
Of simple mind and selfish purposes. 

DAVIS 

In other words, a fool! 

LEE 

Yes, a fool! 

{Enter Bungle, Haytard, and the two Stan - 
sers) 

bungle {shaking hands with Davis) 

I’m glad to see you, Mr. President! 

I’m glad to see you, sir, to see you, sir! 

You’ve met these friends, I’m sure, beyond a 
doubt. 



ROBERT E. LEE 


113 


davis ( coolly ignoring Haytard and the Stansers ) 
I ’ll ask you to be brief in what you say! 

bungle ( confused ) 

Of course! Of course! You see it’s like to this: 
Ahem! These Stansers here, and Haytard, too 
(Three finer men I’ve never met before) 
Have asked me to protest to you, to you, 
That Gen’ral Lee’s about to pardon spies. 
Real spies, sir ! Think of it! Real spies, sir! 
Spies! 

JIM STANSER 

You mean but one! 

BUNGLE 

Of course, not spies, but spy! 

DAVIS 

No more of this ! You’ll drop that subject now! 
You have not part or parcel in this thing. 

It’s matter, sir, for military men! 

{Enter Lord Wolseley. Bungle, Haytard, 
and Stansers draw aside.) 

Lord Wolseley, as I live! You’re welcome, sir! 

LORD WOLSELEY 

Ah, Gen’ral Lee—and Mr. Davis, too! 

A lucky dog I am to see you both. 

About to sail for England, soon, you know. 



114 


ROBERT E. LEE 


And so came by for just a word with you! 
{Shake hands with Lee and Davis.) 

LEE 

We’re always glad to shake your hand, my 
friend! 

DAVIS 

My Lord, I trust your stay’s been pleasant 
here! 

WOLSELEY 

Oh yes, except a droll experience. 

DAVIS 

And what was that? 

WOLSELEY 

Oh just a little “meet” 

Of some conspirators against your Lee— 

You know the scoundrels were so awf’ly mixed 
They could not tell just what they had in mind, 
And prated much about the Trent affair! 
{Seeing Bungle, Haytard, and the Stansers) 
Why, ’pon my soul! but have those men come 
here! 

HAYTARD 

You damned aristocrat! 
lee {to Guard) 

Arrest this man! 



ROBERT E. LEE 


115 


HAYTARD 

It is not lawful! I’m a Congressman. 
{Haytard is arrested by Guard) 

LEE 

You’ll put the man in irons! Take him out! 

(Haytard is led out under guard) 

(Enter Julia and Tom. Gentlemen uncover 
and bow in acknowledgment of her pres¬ 
ence) 

julia ( courtseying) 

I’ve come with Tom, who says he has good 
news. 

I’ll ask you let me stay. 

LEE 

Of course you may. 

(Tom hands Gen. Lee a letter. Exit Tom, 
followed by Jim Stanser) 

lee (reading letter) 

This letter’s just receiv’d from Gen’ral Meade; 
With one from Captain Shirley Carter, too. 
Meade tells of trait’rous letters had by him 
From Haytard, boasting he’s a Congressman, 
And ready for a price, to lead him here. 

The Stansers wrote, as friends, endorsing him. 
(A shot is heard in the vicinity) 




116 


ROBERT E. LEE 


lee (appearing anxious) 

What shot is that! Go, see about it, Long! 

(Gen. Long hastens out) 

I noted that young Stanser followed Tom, 

And fear the Negro’s come to mortal harm. 
(Enter Pick, running) 

PICK 

Young Marser Stanser’s done shot Granpap 
Tom! 

(Enter Gen. Long, accompanied by sev¬ 
eral soldiers, bringing in Jim Stanser as 
prisoner.) 

LEE 

Jim Stanser, as I feared! But what’s his crime? 
LONG 

He shot the Negro Tom unto his death! 
lee (to Jim Stanser) 

Why did you this ? 

JIM STANSER 

The scoundrel interfered. 

LEE 

He interfered in what? 

JIM STANSER 

My business! 

LEE 

I understand! You ruined his daughter, sir! 
And so, the father's sin has found its way 



ROBERT E. LEE 


117 


Into the son's own wicked heart and life! 

Alas ! alas! my friend in black is gone! 

I never knew a better man than he. 

Though dark his skin as Egypt’s fabled night, 
As clear his conscience as the sunlit day! 

He stood so close to right, so far from wrong, 
I knew it privilege to call him friend. 

No vengeance will be taken for his death; 
But justice shall be done against the crime, 

Or take from me the name my father gave, 
And let me wander, weak, with debt unpaid 
To him who in his simple way did work 
As tireless as the stars for others’ good! 

CONGRESSMAN STANSER 

And say you, sir, my son shall pay the price 
Of life for life, for this vile former slave? 

LEE 

I mean just that, except the epithet. 

CONGRESSMAN STANSER 

On whose authority? 

LEE 

On mine. 

CONGRESSMAN STANSER 

On yours? 

LEE 

Assuredly, he’s prisoner of mine. 



118 


ROBERT E. LEE 


CONGRESSMAN STANSER 

He’s only yours on civil sufferance. 

The State, and not the Military, wills 
Which citizen shall die and which shall not. 

LEE 

The principle you state, but err in this: 

Your son is not a civil prisoner. 

CONGRESSMAN STANSER 

And why? 

LEE 

Conspiring with the foe against our camp, 
He forfeits all his rights as citizen. 

CONGRESSMAN STANSER 

But sir, this black stirred up the other blacks, 
And always was insulting to my son! 

LEE 

There was no humbler man upon the earth. 

He tried to save your son from vilest crime. 

CONGRESSMAN STANSER 

I do not apprehend; be clearer, please. 

LEE 

The Negress, sir, with whom your son did live, 
Was child of yours by former wife of Tom. 

JIM STANSER 

Oh, God! not that! Sir, what is that you say? 



ROBERT E. LEE 


119 


LEE 

Just that, indeed! Half sister to yourself ! 

CONGRESSMAN STANSER 

And where’d you learn this most unlikely tale ? 

LEE 

The truth’s from Tom. I promised I would 
help 

Defend his happiness against the son 
As ’gainst the father many years ago. 

Alas! that bullet sped its way too soon! 

What’s left shall be to see stern justice done! 

CONGRESSMAN STANSER 

And think you, sir, the Negro has a soul? 

LEE 

Of course! But what has that to do with this? 

CONGRESSMAN STANSER 

Oh, much, I argue, sir! 

LEE 

And what is that? 

CONGRESSMAN STANSER 

Ethnologists do here and there assert 
The Negro’s but a soulless animal— 

Which would exclude responsibility 

For deed which else would heinous murder be. 

LEE 

Ah, stay that insincere and foolish theme! 




120 


ROBERT E. LEE 


Not one in all the Southland thinks its true. 
Enough! young Stanser’s held for murder here. 

CONGRESSMAN STANSER 

Against such rash invasion of the right 
Of citizens of this, a sov’reign State 
I make appeal! 
lee (to Davis ) 

The President will surely apprehend 
This matter must and shall belong to me! 

DAVIS 

But, sir, you would abide by what I say? 

LEE 

Oh, yes, while still commander of this force, 
But please do mark it well, my friend and chief, 
The army must have its will in this, 

And Stanser dies, if guilty of this crime! 
jim stanser ( advancing) 

From Hatred’s tawny, gaunt, and shaggy 
breasts 

I sucked the fleshy, clotted milk of vice, 

And felt the venom permeate my soul 
To build a tissue fat with nought but sin; 

But still I had no thought of mating kin, 
From which e’en I, sir, would have shrunk in 
pain! 

LEE 

Ah, sin secretes a slime in which men slip 



ROBERT E. LEE 


121 


To further sin, and on to coarser crime. 
{Enter Courier with letter, which he hands 
to Gen. Lee, who reads it and says:) 

LEE 

This note’s from General Meade. His party 
comes 

With flag of truce, and kindly asks that they 

May meet us here. They may! Direct them 
Long! ( Exit Gen. Long ) 

lee {to Guard) 

Arrest these Stansers, Guard, and Bungle, too, 

Keep them and Haytard under strongest bonds! 
{The men are led out by guards) 

WOLSELEY 

By Jove! 

DAVIS 

Intensely int’resting, dear sir. 

{Enter Gen. Long with Gen. Meade and 
Col. Scott, of the Union Army, also Capt. 
Shirley Carter, of the Confederate Army, 
and Peggy Scott. Lee, Davis, and Wol- 
seley shake hands with party. Capt. Car¬ 
ter embraces Julia.) 

LEE 

Two more are needed—Mistress Carter, sirs. 

And Captain Scott- 




122 


ROBERT E. LEE 


LONG 

Gen’ral they are here. 

{Enter Mrs. Carter and Captain Scott. The 
former embraces her son; the latter em¬ 
braces his sister, Peggy.) 

GEN. MEADE 

We’ve broken in upon you, Gen’ral Lee! 

Most noble friend of former, happy years. 
Great principles have torn us far apart, 

And now we come, sir, not for woe but weal. 
We bring this splendid Captain Carter back, 
Exchanging kind for kind in Captain Scott. 

LEE 

We’re more than glad to make this fine ex¬ 
change, 

As like for like is robbery of none. 

And here we’ll find it both’s advantage, George! 
I would that we might end alarms of war, 

And bid them dwell fore’er in amity! 

But principles are stronger, sir, than men, 
And drag us after them ’spite friendship’s 
wish— 

In union, you find truth, in freedom, I. 

How strange men are, good friends and gen¬ 
tlemen ! 

That fight for sep’rate principles, and yet 
These principles are from a common source: 



ROBERT E. LEE 


123 


In union there is freedom of the parts, 

For union must of units be contained. 

And, on the other hand, all freedom's based 
Entirely on substantial union’s life, 

Or else, sad anarchy must intervene 
To wreck our freedom—else, impossible! 

For, if the South, sirs, does its freedom gain, 
There must be union still behind its States. 

Or, if the North maintains our former shape, 
Still must our States have freedom ’mong 
themselves. 

DAVIS 

Our Lee, you‘ve stated what’s upon our minds! 

MEADE 

Most truly! And its answer should be peace! 
{Curtain) 



124 


ROBERT E. LEE 


EPILOGUE 
ACT V.— Scene 1 

( Appomatox, Va., immediately after Lee’s sur¬ 
render. Church in background. Gen. Grant’s 
Headquarters. Gen. Grant seated before his 
tent, smoking cigar. Sentries in evidence in 
background. Enter Vice-President Andrew 
Johnson. He and Grant shake hands.) 

JOHNSON 

Well, Gen’ral Grant, I greatly envy you 
Your goal of peace and high success in war! 

GRANT 

I’m greatly pleased that peace has come at last. 

JOHNSON 

And such a victory, just think of that! 

GRANT 

Oh, yes, the South’s exhausted, root and 
branch. 

JOHNSON 

And has the coward rebel spirit gone? 
grant 

This war, though bravely won, was bravely 
lost. 

I’ve naught to say against my former foe! 



ROBERT E. LEE 


125 


JOHNSON 

And yet I think they should have suffered more 
For holding out so long. 

GRANT 

I do not share 

Your active bitterness against these men. 
Johnson ( excited ) 

Yes, that I saw from your most lib’ral terms 
To all the rebel officers and men! 

GRANT 

Ah, did you note that, sir ? I’m glad you did, 
As ’twas my purpose all should see and hear 
That peace had come, and those who fought it 
out 

On bloodiest fields of all the wars of time, 
Had left no latent rancor in their hearts 
To slash apart a re-united land. 

JOHNSON 

I understand you did not take Lee’s sword. 

GRANT 

And why should I deprive him of a sword 
He always bore humanely, bravely, well, 

As stainless as Excalibur? 
johnson ( excited) 

Oh fie! 

That rebel sword was but a traitor’s sword! 



126 


ROBERT E. LEE 


grant ( frowning) 

’Tis passion, sir, which colors all your thought; 
Which centers somewhat ’gainst our Lincoln, 
too! 

JOHNSON 

I’ll have you understand our greater North 
Has hatred for your magnanimity 
As well as Lincoln’s pussy-footing way! 

GRANT 

That cannot be! 

JOHNSON 

And yet, dear sir, it’s true. 

GRANT 

Again, I don’t believe you speak the truth. 
Johnson ( excited) 

In other words, I lie! 
grant ( calmly ) 

You so infer. 

Johnson (about to leave) 

Now Grant, both you and Lincoln understand 
I’ll test this matter out before the North, 

And strive that Lee may die a traitor’s death! 

GRANT 

Well, Johnson, let me say before you go: 

I fought four years to reunite this land, 
Which now you seek, with others, to disrupt. 



ROBERT E. LEE 


127 


And this disruption’s worse than treason, sir! 

(Johnson exit in a huff) 

(Enter President Lincoln) 

LINCOLN 

Why, hello, Gen’ral Grant! Is Johnson mad? 
grant ( smiling) 

He seemed quite so. 

LINCOLN 

And are you much disturbed? 

GRANT 

I’m not. 

LINCOLN 

His change of front, sir, puzzles me. 

GRANT 

Not me. 

LINCOLN 

He used to be most lenient, 

But now he calls for vengeful tyrant’s heel 
Instead of brother’s hand in helpful grasp! 

GRANT 

He’s but a politician, after all, 

And seeks emolument by fi’ry talk 

Among a corp’ral’s guard of maddened men. 

Lincoln (sadly) 

Ah, this shall stir again the people’s blood, 

So recently becalmed by you and Lee, 



128 


ROBERT E. LEE 


To whet the vengeful knives upon each side, 
And load the gun within fanatic’s hand! 
grant (placing his hand upon Lincoln's shoulder) 
Both you and I will head this vengeance off! 
LINCOLN 

Ah, not until much harm is done, dear friend! 

GRANT 

But cheer up now, and promise me you’ll stay 
And grace a wedding which we have on hand! 
Young Colonel Kingdon Scott, of whom you 
know, 

And Colonel Carter, brave Confederate, 

Will marry, each the sister, sir, of each. 
Lincoln ( delighted) 

Well, this is surely great! and typical 
Of better times, when North and South shall 
join 

Their hearts and hands in lasting unity! 

GRANT 

And will you stay? 

Lincoln ( smiling) 

Impossible, just now! 

But thank you, Grant! the thing has cheered 
me up! 

Be sure to give my blessings to the brides! 

{Exit Lincoln) 




ROBERT E. LEE 


129 


GRANT 

The burden’s still upon his heavy heart! 

{Exit within tent) 

ACT V 

Scene 2.—(Same as 1) 

{Appomattox, Va. Immediately after Lee’s Sur¬ 
render. Church in background. Four buglers — 
two in gray and two in blue, advance to the 
front and sound call.—Two squads of soldiers, 
one in gray, the other in blue, arrange them¬ 
selves opposite one another in lines. — Gen. Lee, 
on gray charger, and Gen. Grant, on black char¬ 
ger, place themselves opposite each other at 
their respective ends of the lines.) 

GRANT 

Ah, Gen’ral, happy is this thought of home 
That comes to our old soldier hearts to-day! 

LEE 

My home! I’ve thirsted thirty years for it! 

I seek its shelter, gladly, friend, despite 
The fact I bear not home a victor’s sword! 

GRANT 

Not one, but many victories were yours! 

LEE 

Ah, sir, you are magnanimous, and kind! 

I hardly know which to admire the most— 




130 


ROBERT E. LEE 


Your kindliness, or simple modesty. 

Great Caesar, victor in his civil wars, 

Was not so great in noble amnesty . 1 

GRANT 

Speak not of this, my friend! While ’twas my 
heart 

That first did prompt me, yet ’twas wisdom’s 
course 

To do this thing for our united land! 

LEE 

Your wisdom, then, was great as was your 
heart! 

God grant the people ev’rywhere may see 
The matter in this same clear wisdom’s light! 
Our people of the South will see it thus. 

GRANT 

No doubt they’ll honor you with office, sir. 

LEE 

Ah, say not that! I am no statesman, Grant! 
A soldier’s life I’ve led for many years. 

GRANT 

And so Napoleon, and Caesar too. 

Thus Cromwell, England’s quaint reformer, 
sir, 


l Gen. Grant, by his magnanimity at Appomattox, won his 
way into the admiration of the South and of the world. 
As Ambassador Page says (p. 638): “History contains no 
finer example of greatness. Not Alexander in his generous 
youth excelled him.” 




ROBERT E. LEE 


131 


And Alexander, greater than them all! 

LEE 

Oh yes, my friend, and tyrants, too, they were. 

GRANT 

But what about the noble Washington? 

LEE 

Oh, Washington is sui generis. 

There’ll never be another Washington! 

But listen, Grant, I hear the organ’s peal 

Announcing that the bridal party comes! 

(As Lee concludes, a bridal procession 
emerges from the Church. The buglers 
sound another call. Kingdon Scott leads 
with Julia Carter, while Shirley Carter 
follows with Peggy Scott. The proces¬ 
sion marches between the lines of sol¬ 
diers who form an arch of their swords 
and bayoneted guns. Gens. Grant and Lee 
join the points of their swords helping to 
form the arch. As the procession reaches 
the two Generals it stops. The two Gen¬ 
erals dismount and shake hands with the 
brides. The procession proceeds, followed 
by soldiers , leaving Grant and Lee, who 
remount their steeds and ride away to¬ 
gether.) 


( Curtain) 









































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